CDU criticizes: Hamburg is stuck in the silt disaster!

CDU criticizes: Hamburg is stuck in the silt disaster!

The CDU opposition in Hamburg is anything but enthusiastic. The Christian Democrats strongly criticize the slow progress in disposing of the silt from the port of Hamburg and the Elbe. How World reported, there is currently neither a timetable for a solution in the North Sea nor clarity about dumping in the surrounding coastal countries.

The situation is further complicated by the high annual costs for sediment disposal: over 200 million euros are spent, of which more than 100 million euros come from Hamburg alone. The places where the silt is deposited are widely spread out. The locations include Neßsand on the state border with Schleswig-Holstein, St. Margarethen between Brokdorf and Brunsbüttel, the Lüchtergrund near the North Sea island of Neuwerk and the E3 barrel near Heligoland. Unfortunately, the places mentioned are not optimal because the silt is transported back to Hamburg all too quickly.

A look at the challenges

Against the background of an increasing amount of sediment, which is increased by the recent deepening of the Elbe, the pressure on those responsible is increasing. The port administration (HPA) has repeatedly rejected the concept of an engineer from Cuxhaven, Jürgen Grzeskowiak. Grzeskowiak has a new system for sludge disposal that he has already patented. His plan calls for separating dredging vessels and transport vessels, which could reduce costs by up to 50 percent. Several transport ships would be coupled to one dredger, which would increase efficiency. The federal government has now approved funds for this concept for the first time NDR reported.

Another sticking point is the long transport routes to the dumping sites in the North Sea and the resistance from operators of conventional dredging ships. CDU politician Antonia Goldner is calling on the Hamburg Senate to finally deal with the reform proposal. But there is no reaction from Hamburg's Senator for Economic Affairs Melanie Leonhard.

Problems with a common solution

A common storage concept in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) could alleviate the problems, but this is being delayed by lengthy approval processes. The dispute between Hamburg and the neighboring states of Lower Saxony and Schleswig-Holstein over the deposits off Neuwerk is not new. Hamburg is currently paying around 6.5 million euros in fees to Schleswig-Holstein for deposits in ton E3 and the contract is valid until 2033.

Under the given circumstances, the red-green Senate's assessment of the situation is particularly questionable. While the CDU criticizes the Senate for its positive assessment of silt dredging, new questions continue to arise about information policy, particularly with regard to the application process for silt shipments in the EEZ.

So the challenge remains on the table. One thing is certain: sludge disposal will keep Hamburg and its neighbors busy for quite some time.