With around 250 ships taking part, the Hamburg Port Anniversary offers guests a spectacular water programme, all carried out while port operations continue on the Elbe.
The unique tugboat ballet, exciting demonstrations, and the magisterial entry and exit parades will make for some wondrous moments, when majestic tall ships and other impressive vessels pass right in front of the eyes of visitors. Guests can experience the top-class programme right up close.
Dancing powerhouses
When real powerhouses line up to dance on Saturday at 5 p.m. and demonstrate their manoeuvrability, this will be the time for the unique tugboat ballet.
The five tugs of the Fairplay Towage Group, each with up to 3,000 hp, will dance lightly and elegantly
This crowd-puller is well-known far beyond the Hamburg city limits. The five tugs of the Fairplay Towage Group, each with up to 3,000 hp, will dance lightly and elegantly like primadonnas to a sophisticated choreography. The diverse music selection, with its mix of classical and pop as well as tunes from the partner country Latvia, together with the colourful “smoke effects”, will ensure impressive moments that raise goosebumps.
Impressive ship parades
Another feast for the eyes will be the magnificent parade on Thursday at 4 p.m. The parade will be led by the German Navy fleet service boat “Alster” and the large water fountain of the fire brigade boat “Branddirektor Westphal”. This will be followed by the tall ships “Dar Mlodziezy” and “Alexander von Humboldt II” as well as numerous large and small sailing vessels.
Provided that the wind conditions allow them to set their sails, it will be a very special experience for the guests to watch the ships sail past. This atmospheric panorama will be complemented by emergency vehicles, research vessels, naval watercraft, motor ships, traditional ships, and countless pleasure boats.
Oevelgönne museum harbour
On Saturday at 4 p.m. the historic fleet will set off from the Elbphilharmonie to Neumühlen
The Oevelgönne museum harbour will invite them to the traditional ship parade. From cutter sailships to customs, mooring, and police patrol boats to steam tugs, a wide variety of ships will be on display. On Saturday at 4 p.m. the historic fleet will set off from the Elbphilharmonie to Neumühlen. Many of these ships will eventually dock here.
After four unforgettable days, the participating ships will come together for the grand exit parade on Sunday at 5.30 p.m. The parade will be led by the Polish sailing training ship “Dar Mlodziezy,” accompanied by the “Alexander von Humboldt II” and numerous impressive ships that will all set sail for a home together.
Spectacular rescue exercises
During the simulated rescue operation “SOS – Joint Rescue Operation” on Friday at 12.45 p.m., Saturday at 1.15 p.m., and Sunday at 12.30 p.m., rescue workers on the water and in the air will demonstrate how they work in coordination after an accident at sea. The joint rescue exercise of the Bundeswehr, police, fire brigade, water police, DGzRS, ADAC and THW will focus on the care and rescue of injured persons from a ship after an on-board explosion. The amphibious Sea King naval helicopter, the EC 135 police helicopter, and the Airbus H 145 helicopter from ADAC will all be making particularly impressive appearances. In addition, the THW's oil spill response team will demonstrate how an oil spill can be removed. The THW pyrotechnicians will add to the realism by providing special effects.
The THW pyrotechnicians will add to the realism by providing special effects
Directly in front of the Landungsbrücken, the THW will also be showing how people are evacuated from flooded areas with the help of a large floating work platform and special operations boats as part of the “THW Help with Technology” programme (Fri: 10.45 a.m./Sat: 10.15 a.m./Sun: 10.30 a.m.).
Acrobatics, show rides, and races on the Elbe
The Hamburg Water Ski Club will be thrilling visitors with a fast-paced water ski show on Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Friday at 6:15 p.m., and Saturday at 7:15 p.m. Visitors can experience brave stunts, pirates, sailors, mermaids, and a Friesennerz parade on skis in front of the Landungsbrücken. The combination of two 360 hp boats, rousing music, and maritime figures that come to life will provide entertainment for the whole family.
The Hamburg Motorboat Association and the Hamburg Sailing Association will also be inviting themselves to four show trips to entertain guests of the Hamburg Port Anniversary with a colourful variety of water sports (Thu: 6.30 p.m./Fri: 11.45 a.m./Sat: 12.15 a.m./Sun: 1.45 p.m.).
Innovative new vehicles
The Hamburg fleet will be providing information onboard its ships at the Landungsbrücken
During a 30-minute demonstration by the Hamburg fleet on Friday at 4:30 p.m., specialists from the Port of Hamburg will show just what their special ships are capable of. The survey vessel Deepenschriewer II, the diving vessel Düker To, the icebreaker Johannes Dalmann and the hybrid-powered planer Chicago will provide interesting insights into everyday port life. Within Open Ship events, the Hamburg fleet will be providing information onboard its ships at the Landungsbrücken about its innovative new vehicles, attractive jobs, and training opportunities (Sat: 10.00 a.m. to 4.45 p.m.).
At the “Mok fast”, historic and modern mooring boats will assemble for a race in front of the Landungsbrücken (Fri: 5.30 p.m.). The skippers will be showing off their seafaring skills on these robust, powerful, and highly manoeuvrable boats that normally assist in mooring a ship.
Oevelgönne museum harbour
The sculling competition through the harbour basin in the Oevelgönne museum harbour demands pure muscle power from its contestants. With this special rowing technique, the boat is propelled forward using only one oar at the stern – the sculling oar (Sun: from 11 a.m.).
During the daughter boat show trip (Fri: 3.30 p.m./Sat: 11.15 a.m.) the powerful and agile “daughters” of the government vehicles will be launched and show off their abilities.
Landlubbers question the crews
Landlubbers of all ages will be able to experience some fascinating insights into shipping
During the Open Ship event, many ships will be inviting guests to come on board – landlubbers of all ages will be able to experience some fascinating insights into shipping right up close. There they can immerse themself in maritime history on the decks of historic sailing ships, stand on the command bridge of a naval vessel, or take a peek inside the engine room of a modern research vessel.
The crews will be happy to answer any of the questions. Some might even show off some impressive sailing manoeuvres and demonstrate more traditional ways of sailing. The berths are located at the Landungsbrücken, at the Überseebrücke, in the Brandenburg Harbour, the Oevelgönne Museum Harbour, the Sandtor Harbour (HafenCity) and in the Hansahafen Harbour. The free PEKING shuttle will ferry visitors by water from Landungsbrücke 10 to the Hansahafen and back (daily 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.). An overview of the Open Ship offerings can be found here.
Cast off!
Visitors who would like to experience a trip on the Elbe up close and set sail can book a day trip. The wide range of offerings includes, for example, rides on the deep-sea tug “Elbe” and the general cargo freighter “Bleichen”. It is a special treat indeed to experience the majestic harbour festival from the water and to feel the special atmosphere on-board.
