Sächsische Binnenhäfen Oberelbe GmbH Records Slight Decline in Cargo Handling Amidst Economic Challenges
The Sächsische Binnenhäfen Oberelbe GmbH (SBO), with two locations in the Czech Republic, reported a modest 1.5% decrease in cargo handling in the past year, despite facing significant challenges. The company attributed the decline to the general economic situation, which resulted in a total throughput of approximately 2.65 million tons.
Despite the decline, the SBO managed to achieve a balanced result, according to Managing Director Heiko Loroff. However, the partial collapse of the Carola Bridge in Dresden and the subsequent five-month closure of the Elbe waterway prevented an even stronger performance. Loroff indicated that the company was unable to reach its targeted growth, with revenue slightly exceeding €22 million, resulting in an expected annual surplus in the five-digit range, lower than the approximately €300,000 surplus achieved in 2023 with a revenue of €24.9 million.
The SBO recorded a slight increase in container handling, with a total of 36,512 units, representing a 2.41% growth compared to the previous year. However, cargo handling via inland waterway in the Upper Elbe ports declined by 5.64% to 106,120 tons, while in Decin and Lovosice, the decline was 4.07%.
In contrast, rail freight traffic increased significantly by approximately 27%, despite multiple track closures at the German-Czech border. Lorry handling, on the other hand, decreased by over 173,000 tons to approximately 1.34 million tons.
Loroff described the current situation at SBO as being in a state of crisis, with tenants at the ports faced with reduced order volumes, rising costs, and staffing challenges, leading to increased strain on individual port locations. The interruption of shipping traffic due to the Carola Bridge collapse particularly affected the Czech ports, resulting in lost orders and customers.
The five-month forced hiatus caused by the bridge collapse had "dramatic consequences" for the SBO and its partners upstream, with Loroff estimating a high six-figure loss in revenue, ranging between €500,000 and €600,000. September to April is typically the peak season for shipping, with the highest volumes of cargo and vessel traffic. However, the SBO was unable to capitalize on these favorable conditions due to the closure.
Since the reopening of the Elbe in Dresden in early February, three cargo ships have successfully passed the Carola Bridge, along with the dilapidated and closed bridge in Bad Schandau. Four more pusher boats, each 110 meters long and carrying large gas tanks for the chemical industry, are scheduled to follow in early March.
The SBO is actively working to transport all pending goods and shift them back from rail to river transport. Loroff emphasized the need to convince customers that the river is a reliable and accessible transportation route. However, he expressed concerns about further prolonged closures during the demolition of the Carola Bridge and the upcoming dismantling in Bad Schandau.
"This would be devastating for us, we can’t afford it anymore," Loroff stated, calling for discussions with inland waterway operators to determine the most suitable time window for these closures.
