HEUKING advises Niedersachsen Ports on ambitious port construction project in Cuxhaven

A HEUKING team, led by Partner Ulf Christiani, legally advised Niedersachsen Ports GmbH & Co. KG, the state-owned port company of Lower Saxony, on an innovative port development project. The team designed and implemented a Europe-wide procurement procedure for awarding construction services for the project. Jointly financed by the Federal Government, the State of Lower Saxony, and private industry, the project aims to expand the offshore terminal in Cuxhaven. This forward-looking investment will address the energy industry’s urgent capacity needs. Construction for this ambitious project is set to begin in February 2025.

The award procedure was completed on schedule, with the contract awarded to a consortium, allowing construction of berths five to seven to commence as planned. The project will add three new berths with associated terminal areas, spanning 1,250 meters, at the German Offshore Industry Center in Cuxhaven. These berths will form a continuous jetty, connecting the Europakai quay (berths one to four) with the existing offshore berths eight and nine. Specifically designed to handle wind turbines, the new berths will address the growing demand for handling and storage space for both onshore and offshore wind turbines.

The need for additional capacity is driven by Germany’s ambitious offshore wind energy expansion targets. The current wind energy capacity of eight gigawatts is set to quadruple to 30 gigawatts by 2030. Further expansion aims to reach 40 gigawatts by 2035 and an impressive 70 gigawatts by 2045.

The team led by Ulf Christiani previously advised Niedersachsen Ports GmbH & Co. KG on the construction of two LNG jetties in Wilhelmshaven and Stade.

Counsel to Niedersachsen Ports GmbH & Co. KG
HEUKING:
Ulf Christiani (Lead),
Antonia Daszenies (both Public Sector & Public Procurement), both Cologne