DEME has been awarded a contract for the construction of an offshore wind terminal at the Port of Cuxhaven, Germany, reinforcing the port’s position as a key offshore industrial hub. Operated by Niedersachsen Ports (NPorts), the new terminal will support the handling of heavy-duty loads, including essential components for offshore wind farms.
The expanded facility will feature three to seven berths, a 1,250-metre heavy-duty quay wall, and a 38-hectare storage area. As part of a consortium with German civil marine construction leaders Depenbrock and TAGU, DEME will oversee dredging and land reclamation works, with over 3 million m³ of material expected to be reclaimed. A range of specialized equipment, including two trailing suction hopper dredgers, a backhoe dredger, and multiple barges, will be deployed.
“This project requires an innovative technical approach,” said Lutz Dröge, Area Manager Germany at DEME. “The construction involves installing combi-walls and undertaking land reclamation in a dynamic estuarine environment, addressing complex engineering demands tailored to a heavy load terminal and challenging geotechnical conditions.”
DEME and its partners bring a proven track record to the project, having previously delivered the neighbouring berths 8 (2008–2009) and 4 (2016–2018). DEME also used the Port of Cuxhaven as a base during the construction of the Borkum Riffgrund 2 offshore wind farm and has led other key infrastructure projects in Germany, including the Elbe River deepening and Kiel Canal widening.
Construction of the terminal is set to commence in early 2025 and is expected to take 3.5 years. Upon completion, the facility will play a pivotal role in supporting Germany’s offshore wind energy expansion targets and advancing the energy transition in the North Sea region.
