APM Terminals and Eurogate from Germany are in advanced discussions about a long-term partnership that could involve investing nearly €1 billion to upgrade the North Sea Terminal (NTB) in Bremerhaven. The goal is to turn it into Europe’s first zero-emission container hub.

This project aims to transform one of Germany’s key container terminals into a fully electrified facility powered by renewable energy, increasing its annual capacity from 3 million to 4 million TEU. If successful, NTB would achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions, setting a precedent for major container terminals in Germany.

Vincent Clerc, CEO of A.P. Moller – Maersk, stated, “Bremerhaven has unique potential to grow as a strategic hub in the region and to support cargo flows into Germany as well as our ocean network.” He noted that this investment would enhance NTB’s competitiveness among European terminals while improving supply-chain resilience for the German economy.

This proposed partnership builds on over 25 years of collaboration between Maersk and Eurogate in Bremerhaven. Eurogate Group's CEO, Michael Blach, mentioned that modernizing the terminal would introduce cutting-edge technology, reduce carbon emissions, and help secure high-value jobs in the area for the long term.

Support from local officials is already emerging. Bremen's Mayor, Andreas Bovenschulte, referred to the project as “impressive proof” of the port’s competitiveness. He added that this investment, combined with supplementary funding from state and federal infrastructure projects, would strengthen Bremerhaven’s position in the North Range port network.

However, one significant challenge remains: access to the port. To maximize the terminal's potential, it's necessary to deepen the Outer Weser River, an ongoing infrastructure project considered essential for accommodating larger container ships. Planning for this is currently in progress at the governmental level.

The investment still requires internal approvals and regulatory clearance, but if it moves forward, it would be one of the most ambitious terminal decarbonization projects in Europe and a clear indication of the future direction Maersk intends to take with its port strategy.