Oldenburg, 17 September 2026 | The expansion of renewable energies in Germany and Europe is inconceivable without efficient maritime logistics. The Seaports of Niedersachsen play a key role in this regard and will be presenting themselves under the umbrella brand Seaports of Niedersachsen from 22 to 25 September at WindEnergy Hamburg, the leading trade fair for the wind energy industry. As highly specialised logistics hubs, they combine the expertise required for the efficient handling, storage and onward transportation of onshore and offshore wind energy components.
With their direct links to offshore wind farms in the North Sea, specialised, state-of-the-art handling facilities and trimodal hinterland connections, the port locations in Lower Saxony provide the necessary conditions for the development and operation of sustainable energy infrastructure. In order to fully leverage this potential in the future, however, the port industry continues to require reliable political framework conditions as well as swift progress in infrastructure and grid expansion. The port locations of Brake, Cuxhaven, Emden and Nordenham exemplify the Lower Saxony port industry as a whole, demonstrating that they have established themselves as strong partners in the wind energy sector thanks to their many years of experience and flexible logistics services – and that they intend to further develop their potential:
Seaport Brake: Flexible port service provider for onshore wind components with future potential in the offshore sector
The strong growth in the handling of wind energy components demonstrates the increasingly important role of Seaport Brake in the energy transition. The port’s focus to date has been on the onshore sector, for which Brake offers ideal conditions. Three different road connections ensure a high degree of flexibility when transporting components to the hinterland. In addition, the port is equipped with modern and innovative port technology that enables the efficient handling of goods. Jörg Kaplan, Head of General Cargo at J. Müller Weser GmbH & Co. KG in Brake, sees the port as well positioned for the future handling of wind energy components: “There is demand in the market, and we also see potential to realise offshore projects in Brake in the future. This is particularly relevant in light of the planned port expansion.” In addition to the growing demand in the wind energy sector, the expansion area planned by the port operator Niedersachsen Ports (NPorts) in the Boitwarder Groden area is also strengthening the port’s prospects. Its immediate proximity to the port creates favourable conditions for the settlement of companies from the wind energy sector. This will generate additional business for the port and have positive effects on the expansion of renewable energies.
Seaport Cuxhaven: Hub for wind energy component handling continues to expand its pioneering role
The strong growth in the handling of wind energy components demonstrates the increasingly important role of Seaport Brake in the energy transition. The port’s focus to date has been on the onshore sector, for which Brake offers ideal conditions. Three different road connections ensure a high degree of flexibility when transporting components to the hinterland. In addition, the port is equipped with modern and innovative port technology that enables the efficient handling of goods. Jörg Kaplan, Head of General Cargo at J. Müller Weser GmbH & Co. KG in Brake, sees the port as well positioned for the future handling of wind energy components: “There is demand in the market, and we also see potential to realise offshore projects in Brake in the future. This is particularly relevant in light of the planned port expansion.” In addition to the growing demand in the wind energy sector, the expansion area planned by the port operator Niedersachsen Ports (NPorts) in the Boitwarder Groden area is also strengthening the port’s prospects. Its immediate proximity to the port creates favourable conditions for the settlement of companies from the wind energy sector. This will generate additional business for the port and have positive effects on the expansion of renewable energies. Seaport Cuxhaven: Hub for wind energy component handling continues to expand its pioneering role Cuxhaven continues to establish itself as a German offshore industry centre. In particular, the expansion of the Offshore Port of Cuxhaven, one of NPorts’ key port infrastructure projects, will further enhance the location’s capabilities in the wind energy sector. Equipped with heavy-load areas along the quay and an additional RoRo ramp, Cuxhaven will in future offer the infrastructure required to handle components of virtually any size without restrictions. The presence of industrial companies is another key success factor. For example, the Siemens facility contributes to increasing handling volumes through the handling of offshore components. Captain Arne Ehlers, Managing Director of BREB GmbH & Co. KG and Chairman of the Cuxhaven Port Industry Association, praises the cooperation to date, while also calling for greater support from the federal government: “The cooperation between the local business community, the City of Cuxhaven, NPorts, the State of Lower Saxony and the federal government on the port expansion is working extremely well. What we are missing, however, is a clear official commitment from Berlin to offshore wind energy. Gas-fired power plants may be necessary as a supplement, but the transformation can only succeed together with renewable energies. Wind power is the guarantee of our future independence and must not be lost sight of in political decision-making.” At present, however, Ehlers notes a certain degree of uncertainty, particularly in the offshore manufacturing industry, due to economic and regulatory factors. These include unclear tendering procedures as well as delays in grid expansion. According to current planning, for example, certain future wind farms will have to wait several years for a grid connection. The resulting fluctuations in offshore industry production are ultimately being absorbed flexibly by the port industry in Cuxhaven, with existing capacities being used for increased handling of onshore components. Looking ahead, Arne Ehlers is calling for greater determination from policymakers when it comes to reducing bureaucracy, expanding the grid and digitalising grid infrastructure. He also sees renewable energies as a key factor for security: generating electricity across a decentralised area reduces the risk of becoming vulnerable, as wind turbines are distributed over a wide area.
Seaport Emden: Specialist for onshore logistics as well as offshore operations and maintenance
In the onshore sector, Seaport Emden has established itself as an important import port for large-scale components. Whether steel towers, nacelles or rotor blades, Emden is equipped to handle all components required for the construction of onshore wind turbines. This is made possible by its flexible handling capabilities and good connections to the hinterland. In the offshore segment, Emden is deliberately focusing on the area of Operations & Maintenance (O&M). The location also plays a role in repowering and the replacement of existing installations through its range of port services. Ems Ports Agency & Stevedoring Bet. GmbH & Co. KG (epas) also makes a significant contribution to the construction of cable routes from sea to land by handling cable drums, including for the important “A-Nord” connection, which is intended to transport electricity from Emden to the Ruhr region. Timo Siebahn, Managing Director of epas, sees the port as well positioned for the future and highlights its geographical advantages and strong regional network. At the same time, he calls for reliable political framework conditions: “There are numerous opportunities for us in the field of wind energy logistics, which we can serve effectively with our port facilities. We benefit from our good connections to the wind farms along the German North Sea coast and from a regional economy that is fully committed to the energy transition. For this path to remain successful, we now need a clear political signal and a reliable commitment to renewable energies. They are the key to an independent, sustainable and resilient energy infrastructure.”
Seaport Nordenham: Important building block in the offshore wind energy supply chain
Seaport Nordenham also plays a central role in the expansion of wind energy, as emphasised by Thorben Jepp, Head of Order Management at Rhenus Midgard GmbH & Co. KG in Nordenham. The range of services available at the location is diverse. In addition to handling submarine cables and general offshore components, Nordenham also handles monopiles manufactured by Steelwind, some of which weigh up to 2,100 tonnes. Supply vessels also regularly call at the port to carry out crew changes and handle provisions and supplies. Another key area of activity is the mobilisation of installation vessels. The dynamics of the industry are clearly noticeable in Nordenham. Thorben Jepp has a positive outlook on the market: “We have a positive impression of the expansion of offshore wind energy in Germany and Europe. You can sense a hands-on mentality that is driving the expansion forward. We are also receiving more and more enquiries from customers and partners who urgently require port capacities for offshore projects. In Nordenham, we offer flexible options for handling the associated logistics.” However, challenges for port infrastructure are also becoming increasingly apparent in Seaport Nordenham. As components continue to grow in size, the demands placed on ground load-bearing capacities and crane capacities are also increasing.
From 22 September onwards, WindEnergy Hamburg will provide an opportunity to discuss the opportunities and challenges described above, as well as new services and port-related logistics solutions, with port managers from the seaports of Lower Saxony. Seaports of Niedersachsen will be exhibiting at the joint stand of the State of Lower Saxony together with other partners in Hall B5, Stand 408.
sich Seaports of Niedersachsen auf dem Gemeinschaftsstand des Landes Niedersachsen gemeinsam mit anderen Partnern in Halle B5, Standnummer 408.