Hamburg extends low-water transport exemptions

In and around Hamburg, qualifying road movements replacing disrupted inland shipping services will retain temporary exemptions until December 20, while a separate 55-hour A7 closure will block passage through the Elbe Tunnel. Hamburg’s A7 between HH-Stellingen and HH-Heimfeld, including the Elbe Tunnel, will close in both directions for 55 hours from November 20 to 23, 2026, with no passage available for large and heavy transports.

Hamburg extended temporary road-transport exemptions for qualifying movements replacing inland shipping affected by low water, providing additional scheduling and permitting flexibility through December 20, 2026.

According to the city’s ministry of the interior and sport, low water levels continue to severely disrupt inland shipping and partial shift of cargo to the road is unavoidable. Within Hamburg, qualifying replacement movements benefit from exemptions from Sunday/public-holiday and applicable Saturday driving bans, including abnormal and heavy transports.

Directly associated empty journeys are also covered. The order additionally waives the indivisibility requirement in abnormal-load authorisation procedures for qualifying transports up to 44 tonnes.

This story was originally published by Project Cargo Journal. Read the full story at Project Cargo Journal →