The plan to dredge the river Elbe can finally proceed as the latest appeals against the project have been dismissed by the Federal Administrative Court in Leipzig.
Specifically, the court said it has rejected appeals from private properties from Övelgönne and Blankenese against adjusting the navigation channel on the Lower and Outer Elbe River.
The planning approval authority concluded that the expansion project neither endangers the stability of the river channel slope nor threatens health and property due to effects of construction/ship noise and vibrations resulting from dredging.
As informed, the plaintiffs have not raised any serious objections to the expert opinions that support the court decision.
Last month, the court also dismissed the actions brought by the towns of Cuxhaven and Otterndorf as well as by Elbe and coastal fishermen against the planned dredging.
In February this year, the court approved in principle the plan, stating that it needs to be revised by taking into account environmental concerns. According to the initial plan, around 130 kilometers of the river would be dredged, enabling boxships with a 14.5-meter draught to reach the port, against 13.5 meters at present.
World Maritime News Staff