Bremerhaven, situated at the lower end of the Weser Estuary, is being used for several important dredging research studies and experiments. One study seeks to thoroughly assess the impact of dredging induced sediment plumes in the broader context of natural processes like storms, winds and changes of season, as well as other human activities like fishing. The other study aims to find technical solutions to discourage sedimentation caused by natural tidal flows in the harbours.

Always in the forefront of technology, the private dredging industry is funding and promoting a research programme called TASS (Turbidity Assessment Software). The programme aims to determine if suspended sediment concentrations resulting from dredging operations are really environmentally more damaging than fishing or other natural occurrences. The field trials in Bremerhaven yielded eight successful experiments, two of which were done during maintenance dredging and six others done during offshore sand mining for the construction of the new terminal.

Another study at the Port of Bremerhaven, established by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research, is examining the interaction of the brackish waters of the river at the harbour entrance caused by tidal currents. Understanding how tidal changes work is an important step in trying to develop solutions to minimise sedimentation in the port. Minimizing sedimentation may reduce the need for annual maintenance dredging, which in turn limits potential impacts, and ultimately is to the advantage of all stakeholders.

This type of research by the dredging industry and port authorities has yielded useful data for ports all over the world. As transporting goods by water remains the most efficient and environmentally clean means of global trade, ports will continue to expand and this type of scientific data is essential.

This is certainly true at Bremerhaven, where port expansion plans are on the drawing board to process more than 5.5m containers per year in a port that covers some 3m sq/m and where more than 1.3m cars a year now pass through the port area of 2m sq/m.

For more detailed information about these research projects conducted at the port of Bremerhaven, see Terra et Aqua at www.terra-et-aqua.com.