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The chairpersons of the Elbe-Seitenkanal Association (BESK) and the Elbe Alliance (EA), Michael Zeinert (photo) and Roman Fürtig, have issued an urgent appeal to federal politics on the occasion of the Elbe Shipping Day 2026. They demand a comprehensive improvement in funding and an acceleration of planning processes for waterways in Germany. In their joint statement, they emphasize the central role of waterways for the German economy, which relies on efficient rivers and canals.
“The waterways are indispensable for the German economy. Industry, trade, agriculture, and also the energy transition depend on efficient rivers and canals,” say Zeinert and Fürtig. They criticize the ongoing neglect of waterways by the federal government, which is evident in both insufficient financial resources and the lack of consideration in planning and approval processes. In particular, the exclusion of waterways from the Special Fund for Infrastructure and Climate Protection (SVIK) is seen as problematic.
Infrastructure deficits and bottlenecks
Zeinert points to the existing infrastructure deficits in the region: “Our region continues to suffer from an infrastructure deficit. The A 39 has not yet been built, the Hamburg-Hanover railway line is permanently overloaded, and the Elbe-Seitenkanal runs parallel from north to south but has the Scharnebeck ship lift as the central bottleneck in the entire northern German waterway network.” The new lock in Lüneburg is highlighted as crucial for the future of the waterway and the economic development of the region.
Fürtig adds that waterways represent a valuable means of transport that can efficiently carry large quantities of goods. “Inland vessels are efficient, can transport immense masses, and are particularly well-suited for bulk goods, liquid goods, as well as large and heavy transports. We must strengthen this mode of transport, also through support for new shipbuilding and training,” he explains. Furthermore, the necessity of making the Elbe a more reliable waterway is emphasized, as it represents an important redundancy route for the Elbe-Seitenkanal.
Concrete demands on politics
The two chairpersons outline four central demands to politics: a secured and needs-based funding of the waterway from the federal budget and the special fund of at least 2 billion EUR per year, consideration of the waterway in planning and approval acceleration in the Infrastructure Future Act, securing funding for the new lock in Lüneburg for the Elbe-Seitenkanal, and the consistent implementation of the overall concept for the Elbe.
The Elbe Shipping Day 2026, held on April 9 in Lüneburg to mark the 50th anniversary of the Elbe-Seitenkanal, provided a platform for discussing the challenges of inland shipping and waterways. Around 100 participants, including representatives from inland shipping, the shipping economy, and port industry, gathered to discuss the future of waterways.
