Groundbreaking Ceremony for the
Expansion of Kiel’s Ostuferhafen

 

(Kiel, 28 October 2026) The groundbreaking ceremony for the expansion of Ostuferhafen marks the start of one of the first major infrastructure investments in Schleswig-Holstein expected to receive funding from the German government’s special fund for infrastructure and climate neutrality (SVIK). Funding will be provided under the Federal States and Municipalities Infrastructure Financing Act (LuKIFG). The SEEHAFEN KIEL project represents a total investment of approximately €37 million, with €27 million – equivalent to around 75 percent of the investment costs – earmarked for public funding. It is expected to be the first project to use resources from the special fund specifically for the expansion of port infrastructure.
Schleswig-Holstein’s Minister-President Daniel Günther, Kiel’s Lord Mayor Samet Yilmaz, and SEEHAFEN KIEL Supervisory Board Chair Louisa Wiethold joined Managing Director Dr. Dirk Claus for the official groundbreaking ceremony, attended by approximately 50 invited guests from politics, public administration and business.

By 2029, approximately 6.5 hectares of additional port operating space will be developed on the site of the former Kiel joint power plant. With this investment, SEEHAFEN KIEL is strengthening the long-term operational capacity and competitiveness of Ostuferhafen while reinforcing Schleswig-Holstein’s position as an important logistics hub.

Federal Infrastructure Fund Enables Investment in Maritime Infrastructure

The expansion of Ostuferhafen demonstrates how resources from the federal special fund can be channelled into long-term infrastructure projects. The planned funding of approximately €27 million provides the financial basis for transforming the former power plant site to meet the future requirements of port operations.

The site’s previous industrial use presents significant technical and financial challenges. Extensive surveys for unexploded ordnance, soil remediation and the construction of heavy-duty operational areas are required before the site can be fully integrated into port operations.

Minister-President Daniel Günther stated: “With the special fund, we are making targeted investments in Schleswig-Holstein’s infrastructure and future competitiveness. The expansion of Ostuferhafen is one of the first major projects to get underway, demonstrating how quickly projects financed through this fund can be implemented. We are strengthening one of our ports as a key hub in international transport chains while supporting our regional economy. Ostuferhafen connects Schleswig-Holstein with northern Sweden and the Baltic states, helping to secure supply chains across the Baltic Sea.”

Additional Capacity for International Freight Transport

With this expansion, SEEHAFEN KIEL is responding to the very high utilisation of Ostuferhafen, which has created an urgent need for additional operational space. Ostuferhafen is a key location for freight connections to Scandinavia and, in particular, the Baltic states. Ferry and RoRo services, as well as the handling of paper and other forest products, are central to the port’s operations.

The additional 6.5 hectares will provide multifunctional operating areas for paper and container handling, the staging of trailers and transport units, and further logistics projects. A warehouse covering approximately 10,000 square metres is also planned.

From Industrial Site to Modern Port Infrastructure

With the sixth expansion phase, SEEHAFEN KIEL is continuing a development process spanning more than 40 years. Following the closure of shipbuilding operations at the Dietrichsdorf site by Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft in 1983, the former shipyard began its transformation into what is now Ostuferhafen. The foundation for today’s modern freight and logistics hub was laid in 1985.

Since then, the port has been continuously expanded through five successive construction phases. Most recently, the fifth expansion phase, completed ten years ago, created additional operational and storage capacity, particularly for the handling of approximately 800,000 tonnes of paper.

Kiel’s Lord Mayor Samet Yilmaz commented: “The Port of Kiel safeguards jobs and connects our economy with the world. By expanding Ostuferhafen, we are continuing a development that began more than 40 years ago on a former shipyard site. The approximately €27 million from the federal special fund represents an important investment in the future of our business location. We are creating space for the port’s further development and strengthening Kiel’s position as a port city.”

Long-Term Investment in Competitiveness

For SEEHAFEN KIEL, the project is a key element of its long-term development strategy. Given the high costs associated with preparing the former power plant site for port use, public funding is essential. Without financial support, previously industrialised sites cannot be remediated and redeveloped for port operations. The project therefore combines economic development with the responsible use of limited land resources.

Dr. Dirk Claus, Managing Director of SEEHAFEN KIEL, explained: “Ostuferhafen is the heart of our freight business. By expanding the port by 6.5 hectares, we are creating urgently needed additional space for cargo handling and port logistics. At the same time, we are transforming a former industrial site into modern port infrastructure. The anticipated funding of approximately €27 million from the federal special fund is a decisive factor in making this forward-looking project a reality.”

Supervisory Board Chair Louisa Wiethold also emphasised the project’s long-term significance: “With the expansion of Ostuferhafen, SEEHAFEN KIEL is focusing on the resource-efficient revitalisation of former industrial sites rather than developing previously unused land. At the same time, we are increasing land-use productivity and ensuring that the port can maintain its operational performance even at high capacity utilisation. I expressly welcome the planned funding under the Federal States and Municipalities Infrastructure Financing Act (LuKIFG). It enables an important investment in the future that combines economic development with the responsible management of our resources.”