Maritime Infrastructure

Port development includes the expansion, modernization, and construction of port infrastructure. This covers the development of additional land, the structural and functional upgrade or extension of quay walls and quay-side facilities, and the adaptation or installation of modern loading and unloading systems. Another core task for port and terminal operators is the integration of efficient processes and technical systems to optimize terminal operations. As part of the energy transition, the development of energy ports is also becoming increasingly important, enabling the import of hydrogen as well as the handling and export of CO₂.

Strong inland transport links are a key factor when it comes to ports competing for business. How efficiently a port is connected to inland destinations by road, rail and water has a direct impact on the choices made by shipping lines and logistics companies.

Inland waterways connect seaports with inland logistics and distribution hubs, helping move goods efficiently between ports, industrial centers and consumer markets. This creates ongoing demand for the construction, upgrade, and refurbishment of structures such as weirs, bridges, and other waterway infrastructure. We support these projects with specialist expertise and manage them from the earliest planning stage through approvals and delivery to final accounts.

Flood and coastal protection is essential to protecting communities, infrastructure and natural habitats from storm surges and flooding. In Germany, the network of dikes and other protective infrastructure stretches for around 13,300 kilometers, including roughly 1,400 kilometers of coastal dikes. Inland flood protection systems also play a critical role, including retention basins, polders, mobile barriers, and engineered flood-control structures that protect river corridors and floodplains. Together, these systems are vital to the safety and resilience of both coastal areas and inland regions along rivers.

Offshore installations and coastal structures play a central role in energy supply, trade, and shoreline protection. Delivering platforms, wind farms and breakwaters requires precise planning, close coordination and reliable execution, often in challenging conditions. Alongside technical demands, projects must also meet strict safety and environmental standards. We support clients from early-stage planning through final delivery, helping ensure projects stay on schedule, remain cost-effective, and meet long-term sustainability goals.

Maritime infrastructure is also a strategic factor in security and defense. Whether the project involves military port facilities, protective structures or logistics infrastructure for the German armed forces, the requirements are complex and highly sensitive. Projects must meet the highest security standards while also remaining flexible in response to evolving threats. We support you with planning, permissions and implementation, drawing on experience in projects with critical security requirements and handling confidential matters with discretion.

In the maritime sector, civil engineering goes beyond excavation and site preparation. It includes foundation work for quay structures, as well as the construction of locks, sheet pile walls, and foundations for offshore facilities. The challenges are considerable, from difficult soil conditions and fluctuating water levels to heavy structural loads. We bring comprehensive expertise to every phase of the project, from geotechnical analysis and engineering design through construction and quality assurance.

Projects in and around water demand specialized solutions. Bank protection systems, bridges, and landing stages must not only function effectively but also withstand changing water levels and currents. At the same time, approval procedures are often complex, and environmental requirements are high. We support you through planning and delivery, from the initial feasibility study to the finished structure.

Ships will increasingly need to run on alternative fuels such as ammonia, methanol and hydrogen as emissions standards continue to tighten. That shift will require more than onboard technical modifications. It will also demand major changes across the fuel supply chain, from production and transport to storage and bunkering. We support clients from the earliest planning stages through the delivery of complete infrastructure for alternative maritime fuels.