Lower Saxony and Bremen together have to inject €125 million to avert a financial imbalance at the JadeWeserPort in Wilhelmshaven.
Despite a positive handling trend, the finances of the deep-water container port in Wilhelmshaven are not in good shape. After the Weser-Kurier reported on the problems, the Ministries of Economic Affairs in Hanover and Bremen confirmed that the JadeWeserPort Realisierungsgesellschaft will require high subsidies in the millions in the short term.
Specifically, this concerns a loan of €125 million in 2026, which the operator responsible for the maintenance of the deep-water port has taken out with the European Investment Bank to finance the infrastructure close to the terminal.
Lower Saxony and Bremen each hold a 50.1% and 49.9% stake in JWP Realisierungsgesellschaft and must now provide the funds for the loan repayment on a pro rata basis in order to avert insolvency.
JadeWeserPort has a “bright future”
The government in Hanover has already included the necessary funds of €62.2 million in the state budget for 2026, according to the Lower Saxony Ministry of Economic Affairs under Olaf Lies (SPD). Bremen is currently discussing the 2026/27 double budget and still has to raise its share.
“There is currently no alternative to the planned financing model to pay off the loan and ensure the continued operation of JadeWeserPort,” explained a spokesperson for Senator for Economic Affairs Kristina Vogt (Left Party). According to information from the Weser-Kurier, a tug-of-war is taking place between the senate departments of the smallest federal state over savings to secure the JWP rescue package.
Both shareholders must “budget” their contributions in the coming weeks so that the port operating company receives a positive going concern forecast for JWP from its auditors.
Lower Saxony’s Minister of Economic Affairs, Olaf Lies, believes that the deep-water port on the Jade has a “bright future” and reaffirmed the state’s continued commitment. “The market development was not easy at the beginning, but we have repeatedly made the necessary adjustments.”
In particular, Hapag-Lloyd’s 30% stake in the handling operator Eurogate Container Terminal Wilhelmshaven in 2022 had a positive effect, said Lies. According to the ministry, over 843,000 TEU were handled at JWP in 2024 – an increase of almost 59% compared to 2023. (mph)
