Strategic investment at Bremen's Kalihafen:

WESER-PETROL upgrades its infrastructure for larger vessels

Big changes are underway at Bremen's Kalihafen: A major investment in port infrastructure is boosting the entire site. WESER-PETROL, a subsidiary of the DS Group, is one of the key beneficiaries of this initiative. The company's focus is on newly installed mooring dolphins¹ and a deepened harbor basin, which will soon accommodate larger tankers with drafts of up to 10.5 meters. This offers significant advantages in logistics, reduces costs, and enhances competitiveness.

A key player in energy supply

Operating a seaport tank storage facility at Kalihafen, WESER-PETROL plays a vital role in the region's energy supply. The company offers storage capacities for petroleum products and biofuels across four sites. Its seamless integration with the international wholesale market positions its Waterbergstraße site as a crucial hub for the import and distribution of petroleum and biofuels.

at a glance:

Icon Standorte

4 locations

in Northern Germany
 

Icon Tanklager

322,000 cubic meters

of tank capacity
 

Our goal is to future-proof this site, ensuring we remain competitive in an increasingly challenging market.

Sebastian Sira, CEO WESER-PETROL

Sira highlights the current challenges: "The harbor's current depth limits us. Larger vessels can’t dock directly; they have to be partially unloaded before reaching our Kalihafen facility. This costs our clients time and money. With the new mooring dolphins and the deepened basin, we’ll soon be able to handle larger tankers capable of navigating the inner harbor beyond the locks. This will significantly boost efficiency and cut CO₂ emissions by reducing the need for smaller ship transfers."

Tank storage locations of the DS Group in Bremen

The newly constructed 230-meter heavy-load quay will mainly benefit neighboring businesses, explains Sira. For WESER-PETROL and its primary client, DS-Mineralöl, the true advantage lies in the deepened harbor basin, enabling economies of scale.

Looking toward the future, Sira emphasizes: "This investment allows us to compete with other port locations, particularly along the coast. It secures our position while strengthening the region's energy supply for the long term. Whether dealing with fossil fuels, biogenic products, 

Diagram of redevelopment at the Kalihafen

Boosting Bremen's economy

Construction on the new quay at Kalihafen began in late 2024 with a symbolic “first pile-driving” ceremony marking the project’s launch. Kristina Vogt, Senator for Economy, Ports, and Transformation, underlined the project’s significance, describing it as a strong statement on the industrial port's economic importance—and particularly that of the Kalihafen—to Bremen.

The senator praised the close cooperation between the city and the private sector, which recognized the potential of the industrial and Kalihafen ports and actively works to secure this vital location’s future.
 

Start der Bauarbeiten
Kristina Vogt, Senator for Economy, Ports, and Transformation (right), and Ian Petri, Managing Director of DS Energies Holding (second from right), at the symbolic “first pile-driving” ceremony at Kalihafen. Source: bremenports.de
Dalben am Kalihafen
Secure anchorage: A newly installed mooring dolphin at Kalihafen will stabilize docked ships in the future.
Bauarbeiten Vertiefung Kalihafen Bremen
Precision on the water: A construction vessel prepares to install a mooring dolphin, driven 14 meters into the harbor bed.
Schwerlastkaje Industriehäfen Bremen
View of ongoing construction: The new heavy-load quay is being added to the existing structure.

By the time construction is completed in late 2025, Kalihafen will not only enhance WESER-PETROL's operations but also serve as a future-proof logistics and energy hub for the entire Bremen economy.

Visit the WESER-PETROL website

1) Mooring dolphins are heavy-duty posts driven into the harbor bed. They serve as docking points for securing ships with mooring lines, ensuring stability during docking.