Niedersachsens of Economic Affairs, Transportation, and Construction is providing the city of Papenburg with a grant of approximately 22.2 million euros to fund the construction of the new main channel for the maritime lock and the expansion of the fluid mud system at the Port of Papenburg. Today, State Secretary Matthias Wunderling-Weilbier presented the grant notification to Mayor Vanessa Gattung in Papenburg.
State funding from the Economic Development Fund (WFF) is making two key investments in the Port of Papenburg possible: the construction of the new inland approach to the sea lock and the expansion of the fluid mud system. The total cost of the projects amounts to approximately 49.3 million euros.
State Secretary Matthias Wunderling-Weilbier:
“With this substantial funding, we as the state government are sending a strong signal today in support of Papenburg as a business hub. The renovation of the inland head of the sea lock and the expansion of the fluid mud system are essential for a more efficient and future-proof port. That is why we are making this project a reality with the utmost determination. The Port of Papenburg is a major economic hub for the Emsland region and far beyond. By working closely together with the city, the Emsland district, and the state, we are also strengthening the businesses and workers in the region.”
The lake lock is the main access point to the Port of Papenburg. The vast majority of cargo handling takes place through it. Numerous companies depend on its proper functioning. With the renovation of the inner lock—following the repair of the outer lock, which was completed in 2022 with state support—the modernization of the sea lock is being systematically continued. This marks the implementation of the second major phase of investment in the overall renovation project.
In addition to modernizing the lock, the city of Papenburg is investing in the expansion of its fluid mud system. For years, the port has been dealing with high levels of silt inflow from the Ems River. The goal of this initiative is to manage the sediment problem more efficiently in the future and to significantly reduce the effort required for regular dredging as well as the associated maintenance costs. To this end, the city plans to procure, among other things, a self-propelled water injection unit and a floating dredger.
Background on Financing
The state of Niedersachsen is contributing 45 percent of the total cost of the two projects. The remaining approximately 27 million euros will be split equally between the city of Papenburg and the Emsland district.
Through this grant, the state is supporting an investment that the city could not finance on its own. Together with the city of Papenburg and the Emsland district, this important infrastructure project is being implemented, which will permanently strengthen the port’s competitiveness and make a significant contribution to the economic development of the Emsland region.
Copyright: Stadt Papenburg
State Secretary Matthias Wunderling-Weilbier (center) presents the grant notification from the State of Lower Saxony for 22.2 million euros to Mayor Vanessa Gattung (2nd from left). District Administrator Marc-André Burgdorf (second from right), First Deputy Mayor Hermann Wessels (left), and Heinz Walker, Head of the Construction Division for the City of Papenburg, are also pleased with the state’s grant. (Photo: City of Papenburg)
