Hamburg, December 11 – The Christian Democratic Union (CDU) opposition in Hamburg is calling for additional port areas to be allocated for the defense industry, following the planned entry of the defense contractor Rheinmetall into Blohm+Voss and Norderwerft. The party advocates for the creation of a ‘Defence-Cluster’ to support the growth of defense manufacturing in the city.
CDU: Hamburg Lacks a Plan for Defense Manufacturing
Michael Becken, economic policy spokesperson for the CDU parliamentary group, emphasized the urgent need for a strategic plan. “Europe’s security is massively under pressure,” Becken stated, adding that Hamburg, as Germany’s largest industrial city, lacks a clear strategy for adapting industrially relevant areas for defense production.
Key Port Area Blocked by Soil Excavation Storage
The CDU’s criticism is partly based on the Senate’s response to a small inquiry regarding areas in the port adjacent to the Blohm+Voss shipyard. It was revealed that a site on the former Kuhwerder Terminal, equivalent to more than ten football fields, is currently being used for storing excavated soil. This use is planned to continue until 2032, according to the Senate.
Antonia Goldner, CDU’s port policy spokesperson, described this as a “key area” that is blocked and further hampered by dilapidated quays. Goldner lamented that Hamburg is missing opportunities and “sleeping through the implementation of the much-cited Zeitenwende” (a turning point in history, referring to Germany’s defense policy shift).
Rheinmetall’s Expansion Plans for Blohm+Voss
Rheinmetall, the defense group, has announced its intention to transform Blohm+Voss into a core shipbuilding location after its planned takeover. This move is expected to significantly boost Hamburg’s role in defense manufacturing.
Previous Efforts to Establish a Defense Hub Failed
Already in the summer, the CDU had urged the Bürgerschaft (Hamburg Parliament) to establish a defense focus in the Hamburg metropolitan region. However, this proposal was rejected by the SPD and Green parties, preventing the creation of a dedicated defense hub.
Background: Blohm+Voss Sale and Rheinmetall’s Strategy
The traditional Blohm+Voss shipyard has been the subject of sale discussions, with Rheinmetall emerging as a potential buyer. Media reports have suggested that Blohm+Voss might be split up as part of the acquisition. Rheinmetall’s strategy involves expanding its presence in the shipbuilding sector, particularly for military applications, and Hamburg is seen as a crucial location for this expansion.
The Call for a ‘Defence-Cluster’
The CDU’s proposal for a ‘Defence-Cluster’ aims to consolidate and promote defense-related industries within the Hamburg port. This initiative seeks to provide the necessary infrastructure, space, and political support for companies like Rheinmetall to thrive, thereby strengthening Germany’s defense capabilities and creating jobs in the region.
Economic and Security Implications
The debate surrounding port space for defense manufacturing highlights a broader discussion about Germany’s industrial capacity in the face of evolving security challenges. The CDU argues that by not adequately planning for defense production, Hamburg risks falling behind other industrial centers and failing to contribute effectively to national and European security. The economic benefits of such a cluster, including job creation and technological advancement, are also emphasized by the opposition.
The ongoing storage of soil excavation on a large, strategically important port area underscores the need for a more efficient and future-oriented land-use policy within the Hamburg port, especially in light of new industrial demands from the defense sector.
Source: https://www.ndr.de/nachrichten/hamburg/cdu-fordert-mehr-platz-fuer-ruestung-im-hamburger-hafen,hafen-188.html
