# Hamburg port expansion dispute > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/hamburg-port-expansion-controversy > Updated: 2026-08-03T13:36:28.000Z. Sources: 12. Developments: 5. Mid‑July 2026 Hamburg’s authorities and terminal operator Eurogate announced a plan to fell the Elbwald trees along the Bubendey riverbank for a new container terminal, prompting the "Elbwald retten" petition and criticism over low berth utilisation. On 13 July the economy senator Melanie Leonhard and HPA chief Jens Meier halted the tree‑cutting, arguing that automation of existing terminals would meet demand. They noted only about 60 % utilisation of current berths and questioned spending €1.1 billion of public funds on new berths. By 21 July environmental group Elbwald retten intensified opposition, presenting a re‑forestation concept for the 24‑hectare site (≈3,000 trees) and warning that the exclusive allocation of new berths to Eurogate distorted competition. On 24 July officials confirmed the western expansion was stalled and were evaluating a scaled‑down “Hafenerweiterung light” plan that would use the former petroleum harbour for just two feeder‑ship berths. A coalition of residents sent an open letter to Senator Leonhard on 27 July, citing the port’s handling of only 8.3 million TEU—far below the 25.3 million TEU target—and the project’s €1 billion cost, and urging funds be redirected to logistics modernisation, digitalisation and rail upgrades. By 3 August the Elbwald retten campaign had rallied public support, with the petition gathering over 7,000 signatures and still seeking the 10,000 needed to force parliamentary scrutiny, emphasizing the forest’s role as a “green lung” between the port and nearby industrial sites. ## Claims - The Hamburg harbour west expansion was forecast to handle 25.3 million TEU by 2025. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Actual container throughput at the Hamburg port is about 8.3 million TEU. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Existing container terminals in Hamburg are operating at roughly half capacity. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The harbour expansion would cost more than €1 billion of taxpayer money. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The expansion would require clearing part of the Elbwald, the harbour’s green lung. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The citizen group “Elbwald retten” sent an open letter to Economic Senator Melanie Leonhard urging a halt to the expansion. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The letter proposes investing in logistics modernisation, digitalisation and rail expansion instead of new berths. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Experts in economics, logistics and ecology agree the harbour west expansion is no longer suitable. (corroborated by 3 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-03: Hamburg environmental group rallies to stop Elbwald tree removal Hamburg’s Elbwald retten group, led by Franz Hermann and Ulf Wolter, urges a petition of 10,000 signatures to stop the planned removal of the Elbwald forest amid port expansion. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/hamburg-environmental-group-rallies-to-stop-elbwald-tree-removal ### 2026-07-27: Hamburg Senator Melanie Leonhard Urged to Halt Harbor West Expansion Over Low Utilisation and Elbwald Threat Hamburg citizens’ group “Elbwald retten” urged Senator Melanie Leonhard to cancel the costly harbour west expansion, citing low container traffic, half‑filled terminals, a €1 bn price tag and the need to spare 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/hamburg-senator-melanie-leonhard-urged-to-halt-harbor-west-expansion-over-low-utilisation-and-elbwal ### 2026-07-24: Hamburg port expansion stalled amid economic and environmental dispute Hamburg's costly western port expansion is being halted after forecasts fell short and environmental groups and rival firms protested, prompting a scaled‑down ‘light’ plan. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/hamburg-port-expansion-stalled-amid-economic-and-environmental-dispute ### 2026-07-21: Hamburg port west expansion faces environmental opposition and competition concerns Hamburg's costly port west expansion, projected for 25 m TEU but only handling 8 m, faces criticism over overcapacity, exclusive Eurogate berths, and planned tree removal, prompting a petition and a lighter‑ton 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/hamburg-port-expansion-challenged-with-treeplanting-proposal ### 2026-07-13: Hamburg port expansion stalls as officials drop tree‑cutting plan after petition Hamburg officials pause tree removal for a new container terminal after a petition gathers thousands of signatures; automation of existing terminals will proceed first, saving €1.1 bn. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/hamburg-port-expansion-stalls-as-officials-drop-treecutting-plan-after-petition --- Cite as: Hamburg port expansion dispute. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/hamburg-port-expansion-controversy