The route through the Neuer Hafen lock leads directly from the River Weser into the harbour basin. According to the Bremerhaven Development Company for the Old and New Harbours (BEAN), it is expected to remain closed until the start of the 2027 summer season due to a comprehensive overhaul. Anyone who moors their boat in the Neuer Hafen or wishes to overwinter there should therefore plan their entries and exits before the closure begins, or use the Kaiserschleuse instead.
Lloyd Marina: Kaiserschleuse only in exceptional circumstances
Anyone who has a berth at Lloyd Marina or wishes to overwinter there is directly affected by the closure. However, there is a possible solution: pleasure craft can use the Kaiserschleuse – although this area of the harbour is normally closed to pleasure and recreational craft. According to a press release from BEAN, passage for pleasure craft is only permitted in exceptional cases and subject to prior registration.
The Kaiserschleuse is situated in the overseas port area and connects the Kaiserhäfen I–III with the River Weser. From there, the route leads across the Schleusenstraße bascule bridge into the Neuer Hafen – and thus to the Lloyd Marina.
However, the The bascule bridge has made plenty of headlines this year: In the spring, it had to remain lowered for around seven weeks because cracks had been discovered in the welds of the upper hinged section. No sooner had this repair been completed than local residents reported unusual banging and squeaking noises – bremenports subsequently identified a faulty bearing in a hydraulic cylinder. The next repair took place shortly before the Maritime Days in August.
Anyone wishing to enter or leave a berth in the New Harbour should Check with bremenports in advance (VHF channel 10 or tel. 0471 / 30 90 14 00) to find out the current status of the bascule bridge and whether it is possible to pass through the Kaiserschleuse.
During the construction period, all other vessels will generally be directed to the large locks.
What is being renovated at the Neuer Hafen lock
First, flood defences will be installed in front of the lock gates and the chamber will be drained. This will be followed by cleaning, inspection and work on the gates. The seals will be replaced, and maintenance platforms, handrails and fall protection will be installed. BEAN also mentions a modification to the fendering following a fatal accident during an inspection in 2018. The work is intended to make the facility and future maintenance operations safer.
The lock, which came into operation in 2005, has a chamber measuring 14 by 50 metres, which can be extended to 62.5 metres if necessary. A video shows what day-to-day operations are like there: A feature on a lock keeper in Bremerhaven from the year 2024.
Restrictions on land begin earlier
According to BEAN, a strict no-stopping zone is to come into force as early as Thursday, 1 October 2026, on Lohmannstraße between the Neuer Hafen lock and Schleusenstraße. This is to allow heavy goods vehicles to pass through with their dam panels in place. For pedestrians, at least one of the two lock gates is generally to remain open during the construction period. At times, however, both crossings may be closed.
Book recommendation
Cruising Guide: North Sea Coast 1 covers the coastline between Cuxhaven and Den Helder, including the Weser area. Port information, navigation guidelines and charts help with planning sailing trips in the region.
Ursula Meer
Redakteurin Panorama und Reise
