A clear plus for bayernhafen Bamberg

Bamberg, 16 March 2022 – bayernhafen brings together a diverse range of goods and delivers the right infrastructure to meet the challenge of shifting long-distance traffic from the road networks to the two environmentally friendly transport modes of inland waterway and rail. In 2021, bayernhafen moved a total of 9.15 million tonnes of cargo and freight by inland waterway and rail at its six locations of Aschaffenburg, Bamberg, Nuremberg, Roth, Regensburg and Passau – a 4.6% increase on the previous year. In Bamberg, 563,753 tonnes of goods were moved by inland waterway and rail, a significant increase of 20.7% on the previous year’s volume. This corresponds to around 90 fewer truck journeys per day.

At 289,121 tonnes, inland waterway handling at bayernhafen Bamberg in 2021 was well over the previous year’s level, with a 21.9% increase on the 237,187 tonnes moved in 2020. The growth was most keenly felt in the segments of animal feed and agricultural and forestry produce.

Rail handling at bayernhafen Bamberg is also on the right track. At 274,632 tonnes, rail handling in 2021 achieved growth of almost 20%. The main classes of goods transported were containers and agricultural produce. In total, 563,753 tonnes of goods were shifted from the road networks to the more environmentally friendly transport modes of inland waterway and rail.

In 2021, the Combined Transport terminal in bayernhafen Bamberg almost reached the previous year’s level. At 28,880 TEU (twenty foot equivalent unit), the volume is just slightly below the 29,797 TEU handled in 2020. Thanks to scheduled rail connections, the terminal connects the region of Bamberg to the North Sea ports of Bremerhaven, Hamburg and Wilhelmshaven.

“At each of the regions in which we operate we act as a hub for the import and export of goods and are a driver of the regional economy. Our inland ports and the infrastructure they provide ensure the reliable supply of goods to the region as well as the shift to the more environmentally friendly transport modes of inland waterway and rail,” says Joachim Zimmermann, the Chief Executive Officer of bayernhafen. “This requires investment in trimodal port infrastructure and the concentration of logistics companies at the ports. That is why we must emphatically reject the idea of restricting functioning port land through changes of use in the surrounding areas, or using port land for other purposes on a larger scale. In the spirit of mutual consideration, any existing restrictions need to be minimized.”

It is currently not possible for bayernhafen to estimate the extent of the impact the war in Ukraine will have on the economy and hence on the logistics sector and international supply chains, whether on container traffic, agricultural produce or the supply of raw material for industry.

Further optimisation of port infrastructure

In 2021, bayernhafen invested a further € 2.7 million in its port infrastructure and hence in securing the future viability of its locations. The main focus was on projects to develop and maintain its rail infrastructure and shore power units. In 2022, it is planned to invest around € 1 million in the expansion of a heavy-lift transfer site, in rail facilities and in a a flood-proof bollard.

Heavy-weights abound at bayernhafen Bamberg

In 2021, heavy-lift handling at Bamberg played an essential role in the transfer of mega-transformers for the TenneT electrical substation in Würgau. However, in addition, a large number of prefabricated garages and an over-sized steel component for a wind turbine arrived by barge at the port in Bamberg, where they were transferred to dry land. “When it comes to such volumes, the expansion of our heavy lift infrastructure is key to ensuring future viability,” says Anja Bokeloh, Head of Technology and Operations at bayernhafen Bamberg, “When it comes to heavy-lift transport, inland waterway far outperforms all other modes of transport.“ bayernhafen delivers the right infrastructure for heavy or bulky goods and takes the strain off road networks and the environment.

Electrical charging points for ships

bayernhafen is investing € 2 million in the installation of seven shore-power charging points for river cruise and cargo ships. The shore-side power supply connection for hotel ships is scheduled to go into service at Quay 5 in the summer of 2022. In addition, electricity charging points for cargo ships are to be installed, enabling bayernhafen Bamberg to make a key contribution to a more energy-efficient future.

In 2021, 236 cruise ships laid anchor at bayernhafen Bamberg – in 2020, it was only 64. The first ship after the long Corona-related break was greeted in June. Around 800 cruise ships have already registered for 2022.

New companies in bayernhafen Bamberg

The new Biosyntec tank farm has been receiving organic diesel by rail from Eastern Europe since April 2021. The organic diesel is transferred to its tanks from rail wagons at Biosyntec’s dedicated siding to be stored temporarily before being delivered by road to customers and farmers in the surrounding area.

Furthermore, bayernhafen Bamberg-based Herbst Logistik is planning and constructing state-of-the-art logistics real estate for Bosch at the port. bayernhafen laid the ground stone for this project through a multi-stage site conversion scheme.

“This project enabled us to powerfully demonstrate the role we play as site architects,” says Alexander Zeiger, Head of Real Estate Business at bayernhafen Bamberg. “Tailor-made solutions and happy customers strengthen cooperation and, in the process, benefit both the port and the region as a whole.”

It is due to go into operations in the summer of 2022.