In 2009, the Hamburg Port Authority (HPA) invited interested parties such as contractors, banks, operators, investors and consultants, to submit concepts for the redevelopment of a 125 ha area of harbour basins and terminals in the port of Hamburg into the Central Terminal Steinwerder. Apart from the technical design, a financing model and answers to a questionnaire were to be presented.

The intention of the competition, called “Market Consultation Process”, was to include potential developers and operators at the earliest stages in the development of the terminal in order to identify the requirements of the market and to optimise the implementation of the project.

From 30 international applicants, 19 were selected in the prequalification process to participate. 12 companies submitted concepts, 4 prizes were awarded (there was an equal tie for third place).

On the part of HPA, the following objectives for the redevelopment that had to be met were:

•Efficient use of the area with respect to environmental and sustainable aspects
•Creation of permanent, high quality employments in an attractive variety of businesses supporting the Port of Hamburg in its position as an all-purpose port
•Other sustainable positive impacts on the economy of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg

The paper presents one of the prizewinning concepts that had been designed in cooperation with the German companies BUSS Ports and Sellhorn Ingenieurgesellschaft, both Hamburg, Germany.