Carolabrücke Collapse Disrupts Elbe Shipping and Drives Up Costs

The partial collapse of Dresden's Carolabrücke has severely impacted shipping routes, increasing costs and forcing reliance on alternative transport methods.

• The collapse of the Carolabrücke in Dresden has raised transport costs for the Sächsische Binnenhäfen Oberelbe (SBO) by approximately 30%, adding up to €10,000 per ship.
• Shipping routes between Hamburg, Saxony, and the Czech Republic have been disrupted, with many vessels now terminating in Magdeburg instead of reaching their intended destinations.
• The SBO has shifted container transport to rail as a temporary solution, but delays and inefficiencies persist due to infrastructure limitations and construction on rail lines.
• The planned expansion of the Riesa inland port, including new electric cranes and a hybrid locomotive, aims to improve logistics and sustainability, with completion targeted for 2027.
• Environmental groups have raised concerns about the long-term viability of Elbe shipping, citing climate change, low water levels, and potential high-water risks at the Riesa port.

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