Overview

• Organizers reported tens of thousands along the waterfront on Saturday as five cruise ships paraded with fireworks, with eight vessels calling over the three-day festival that police said passed without major incidents.
• Hamburg formally opened the HafenCity cruise terminal with two berths, expanding capacity to handle rising cruise traffic.
• The city says all cruise terminals will offer shore power next year, and ships must use it in Hamburg from 2027—three years ahead of EU rules—though some onboard generators may still run during this year's transition.
• The Blue Port illumination by artist Michael Batz continues nightly through September 21, bathing landmarks and quays in blue light.
• Environmental pushback persisted as Extinction Rebellion dyed fountains green over alleged greenwashing, with police state security reviewing the action and NGOs reiterating emissions concerns.