Maakenwerder Hafen

From a bustling harbor to a construction site. This is the story of Maakenwerder Hafen. Maakenwerder Hafen was once a vibrant port in Hamburg-Waltershof. Established around 1910 as part of a harbor expansion plan, it initially served smaller vessels and yachts navigating the Unterelbe. The harbor even became a temporary resting place for shipwrecks. A B&V floating dock was repaired there in 1953. Maakenwerder Hafen also witnessed the devastating effects of the 1962 flood. Nearby allotment gardens and sheds were submerged, leading to tragic losses. The area was later cleared. By late November 1968, a dramatic transformation began. The harbor basin, previously enclosed by a dam, was drained and leveled. This made way for the construction of eight caissons for the New Elbe Tunnel. These massive structures were later sunk into the Norderelbe, becoming part of the A7 motorway. In 1972, prefabricated tunnel segments were meticulously placed on the Elbe riverbed and connected. By 1975, the old Maakenwerder Hafen basin was largely filled in. Only the northwestern section remains. It exists as a small reed zone on the Norderelbe, south of the Elbe and west of the Köhlbrand entrance. This area was spared from filling due to concerns about the weight of the sand on the rising Elbe Tunnel tube. Maakenwerder Hafen’s story is a testament to Hamburg’s ever-evolving landscape. From its lively beginnings as a small port to its key role in a major infrastructure project, its legacy lives on beneath the Elbe’s waters.