The port of Hamburg covers an area along the Elbe as well as over the channels of the River Elbe and various islands in the River Elbe. Nothing would be possible here without bridges. A total of 133 bridges link the Elbe islands together.
HPA is responsible for the operation and maintenance of all these bridges. The rehabilitation and construction of bridges is also our responsibility. Unencumbered travel is our long-term goal: the bridges are an important part of the port infrastructure. By preserving and modernising them, we ensure the port can continue to grow.
Some of our bridges have to do a bit more. These special bridge constructions are opened as required to enable larger ships to navigate the Elbe unimpeded.
The various bacsule, lifting and rolling bridges are regularly checked and maintained by our bridge masters.
Moving bridges and locks in the port of Hamburg
Are you interested in our moving bridges and watergates? All the detailed information on their locations and operating times can be found here:
| Operating time | Daily 4 times |
|---|---|
| Opening time | Daily at 5:30, 12:30, 17:00 and 00:00. |
| Notification | Registration for service within the operating hours must be made 30 minutes before the opening request. Special openings take place 24/7 only after registration with the Nautical Center. USW radio channel 13; Name: Kattwyk Bridge; or on +49 40 42847-7088 |
| Operating time | Monday to Friday 6:00 to 22:00 (means till 21:00) - Saturday and Sunday 6:00 – 18:00 |
|---|---|
| Opening time | Operation of the lock takes place on advance request at the Este Lock. A request for the opening within the operating time must be made at least one hour before the desired opening time; for the opening outside of operating time, at least one hour before the end of operating time. Due to maintenance measures at the outer Este Lock, it will be closed for one hour on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. The gates will be closed from a water level of approx. NHN +1.0m in order to carry out the rinsing cycle up to a water level of approx. NHN 0.10m. |
| Notification | USW radio channel 10; Name: Este Lock; or on +49 40 42847-7011 |
| Operating time | Mon.–Sat. from 6:00 to 22:00 (except bank holidays) |
|---|---|
| Opening time | Last possible opening during operating hours at 21:00 (maritime shipping) Opening hours during operating hours: Opening hours for inland and small-scale shipping Mon-Sat 06:15, 11:00, 17:00, 20:30 by prior appointment. (30 minutes before opening request) Openings for maritime shipping possible at any time by prior arrangement. (Inland shipping and small vessels can also pass through) Openings outside the operating hours (exclusively sea shipping) must be announced up to 1 hour before closing time. (21:00 hrs) Openings on Sundays and public holidays are available to small vessels and inland waterway vessels at high tide. These must be announced up to 1 hour before closing time. (21:00 hrs) Special openings (subject to a fee) take place after consultation with the Nautical Centre under certain conditions. |
| Notification | USW radio channel 13; Name: Rethe Bridge; or on +49 40 42847-4885 |
| Operating time | Mon. - Sat. from 6:00 - 22:00 (except bank holidays) |
|---|---|
| Opening time | Last possible opening during operating hours at 21:00 (maritime shipping) Opening hours during operating hours: Opening hours for inland and small-scale shipping Mon-Sat 06:15, 11:00, 17:00, 20:30 by prior appointment. (30 minutes before opening request) Openings for maritime shipping possible at any time by prior arrangement. (Inland shipping and small vessels can also pass through) Openings outside the operating hours (exclusively sea shipping) must be announced up to 1 hour before closing time. (21:00 hrs) Openings on Sundays and public holidays are available to small vessels and inland waterway vessels at high tide. These must be announced up to 1 hour before closing time. (21:00 hrs) Special openings (subject to a fee) take place after consultation with the Nautical Centre under certain conditions. |
| Notification | USW radio channel 13; Via: Rethe Bridge; or on +49 40 42847 4885 |
| Operating time | Please enquire |
|---|---|
| Opening time | Since 1 January 2024, bridges have been operated by the State Roads, Bridges and Waterways Company. Bridge orders as well as information on operating and opening times can be obtained by e-mail Lsbg-Brueckenoeffnungen@lsbg.hamburg.de |
| Notification | Phone: +49 40 42840 3201 |
| Operating time | From Monday to Friday 6:00 to 22:00, (means till 21:00)j - Saturday and Sunday 6:00 – 18:00 |
|---|---|
| Opening time | The opening of the bridge only takes place on advance request at the Este Lock. Requests must take place at least one hour before the desired opening; for times outside of the opening time, at least one hour before the end of operating time. |
| Notification | USW radio channel 10; Name: Este Lock; or on +49 40 42847-7011 |
| Operating time | Daily, nonstop day and night |
|---|---|
| Opening time | The facility is closed from the following water levels: Low tide from -2,00 mNHN, High tide from +3.50 mNHNtide |
| Notification | USW radio channel 13; Name: Harburg Lock; or on +49 40 42847-4851. Lock-Fees: Cashless payment system +49 40 4223 7979 |
| Operating time | Daily, nonstop day and night |
|---|---|
| Opening time | Reiherstieg lock out of operation until 2027. (New construction) Ellerholz lock: Both lock chambers are closed twice a day, 0.5 hours before and up to 1.5 hours after low tide. The facilities are closed from the following extreme water levels: Low water from -2.40m NHN, high water from +3.50m NHN. |
| Notification | USW radio channel 13; Name: Ellerholz Lock; or on +49 40 42847-4850 |
| Operating time | Mon.–Fri. from 7:30 to 16:30; Sat, Sun and bank holidays 10:00–19:00 |
|---|---|
| Opening time | Requests for operation outside of the opening time must be made at least one hour before the end of operating time. From 1 November to 31 March: Monday to Friday from 7:00 to 14:30 (except bank holidays): Requests for operation within the opening time must be made at least 2 hours before the desired opening; for operation outside of the opening time, at least 2 hours before the end of operating time. Lock operations outside of the opening time are subject to a fee. From 01.11.2022 locks for Sport ship are carreid out - every full hour in the direction of the Elbe -every half hour in the direction of the Ernst-August Canal The facility is closed from the following water levels: Low tide from -2,00 mNHN, High tide from +3.50 mNHN |
| Notification | VHF radio channel 13, call name Harburg Lock or phone +49 40 42847 4870. Lock-Fees: Cashless payment system +49 40 4223 7979 |
| Operating time | Every day, day and night |
|---|---|
| Opening time | Opening during operating hours: Locking for pleasure craft takes place -every full hour in the direction of the Elbe -every half hour in the direction of the Dove-Elbe The facility is closed from the following water levels: High water +3.00mNHN |
| Notification | Phone +49 40 42847-7030. Lock-Fee: Cashless payment system +49 40 4223 7979 |
| Operating time | Open all day |
|---|---|
| Opening time | No restrictions. Köhlbrand Bridge: Full closures in 2025: Full closure no. 1: Friday, 23.05.25 (22.00 hrs) - Monday, 26.05.25 (05.00 hrs) Complete closure no. 2: Friday, 13.06.25 (22.00 hrs) - Monday, 16.06.25 (05.00 hrs) Complete closure no. 3: Friday, 18.07.25 (22.00 hrs) - Monday, 21.07.25 (05.00 hrs) Complete closure no. 4: Friday, 29.08.25 (21:00) - Monday, 01.09.25 (05:00) Complete closure no. 5: Friday, 05.09.25 (21:00) - Monday, 08.09.25 (05:00) Complete closure no. 6: Thursday, 09.10.25 (22.00 hrs) - Monday, 13.10.25 (05.00 hrs) Köhlbrand Bridge: Single lane in 2025: Single lane on the north side: Monday, 26.05.25 (05.00 hrs) - Sunday, 01.06.25 (12.00 hrs) Single lane on the south side: Sunday, 01.06.25 (12.00 hrs) - Friday, 13.06.25 (22.00 hrs) |
| Notification | Not required |
German only:
§ 24 Passing bridges
(2) Movable bridges are opened on request during the operating hours announced by the competent authority, if traffic and operating conditions permit. Outside the operating hours, the opening takes place only if the vehicle is announced at least half an hour before the end of operation.
The General Terms and Conditions of the Hamburg Port Authority apply to the use of the bridges and locks in the Hamburg port area.
