A subject of constant controversy is the damming (and of course dredging) of the river for the ships' transfers.

Depending on the size of the ships the river has to be dammed up to 2,70 m above normal water level. This is only allowed between September 16th and March 30th ("winter damming") and only for a maximum span of 52 hours. The rest of the year ("summer damming") only 1,75 m for a maximum of 12 hours are allowed.

This regulation serves to protect birds during breeding season which would otherwise inevitably drown.

Thus the transfer of Genting Dream was within the rules, but critics said that due to the warm weather in the two weeks before the transfer, the river's saturation with oxygen was low and that this was aggravated by the damming of the river at tis point in time. The transfer should have been postponed.

At the moment Meyer at Papenburg will deliver 12 new ships until 2023 ranging from 56,000 gt (Saga Cruises) up to 180,000 gt (P&O)...

Thank you all for your kind words and input, gentlemen!
It is much appreciated:-)

Cheers
Jens

Yes davidships.The whole river breaks.Also by the accumulate of the river.

Fantastic photo Jens !

Best regards
Derek

Do you mean from the extensive (and expensive) dredging, Volker?

Moin Jens. It looks amazing but the environment suffers. Cheers Volker

Very impressive

Allan

As you say Jens a giant ship on a small river. I know the pilot gives the orders, but as usual the tug seems to be in charge.