Michael de Reese becomes new Chairman of the Board in Cuxhaven

The Port Economic Community Cuxhaven e.V. (HWG) has elected a new board. The new chairman is Cuxport Managing Director Michael de Reese. He succeeds his Cuxport Managing Director colleague Hans-Peter Zint, who has held the position since 2015 and did not stand for re-election. The deputy chairman remains Arne Ehlers, managing director of the shipping company BREB.

(Cuxhaven) Newly elected to the board of the Port Economic Community Cuxhaven e.V. (HWG) are Cornelia Machulez, managing director of the eponymous full-service provider, Peter Miesner, managing director of the Cuxhaven Port Development Company, and Claudius Schumacher, managing director of Cuxport GmbH. “We thank Hans-Peter Zint for his years of dedication to the HWG,” says de Reese, who has been part of the Cuxport management for three years. Zint always saw it as his most important task in his role as HWG chairman to advance the performance potential of the port economy. “His focus was on the further development of the port, especially for wind energy,” adds the new chairman. Cuxhaven’s mayor Uwe Santjer also thanked Zint and praised his commitment. With the agreement of the other members, he mentioned that Zint had always been there, in a sense.

Increase in handling also thanks to the wind energy sector

Cuxhaven has developed well, not least due to Zint’s commitment, both agreed. Especially in the wind energy sector, all major manufacturers now use the port. In fact, Cuxhaven managed to handle about 2.5 million tons in the port in 2021. According to the outgoing HWG chairman, who presented the figures at the 49th general meeting, this is 17 percent more than the previous year. With 240,000 tons, the seaward handling of wind turbines and the vehicle handling with 300,000 tons significantly contributed to this growth in handling. The freight traffic between Cuxhaven and Great Britain has also remained stable despite Brexit.

Multimodal connection

The modern deep-water terminal Cuxport offers excellent conditions for fast and smooth handling of all types of cargo, thanks to its prime location and multimodal connection. “However, the ports on the German North Sea coast are at their capacity limit,” said Zint. Currently, there is a lack of storage and handling options that could hinder Cuxhaven’s expansion goals as an offshore port. Zint announced that the HWG would actively promote the construction of berths five to seven at the Cuxhaven port.

Call for electrification of the rail connection

Zint also advocated in his last report as HWG chairman for the rapid electrification of the rail connection to the port and not to be further hindered by other projects. Many customers are increasingly relying on rail and paying attention to their CO2 footprint. “It is now a real competitive disadvantage that Cuxhaven can only be reached by diesel traction,” he said. Zint once again called on state and federal levels to act quickly so that Cuxhaven remains efficient and attractive for the onshore and offshore industry. Mayor Santjer added that the solidarity community makes an important contribution to the quality of life in the city and that the port is existentially important for the future of Cuxhaven.

Photo: © Elbraklame Holger Grabsch