Westhafen (1923)

A Cleverly Designed Inland Port – By the early 20th century, cargo transport had outgrown the capacities of Urbanhafen (Urban Harbor, on the Landwehr Canal) and Humboldthafen (Humboldt Harbor) [ site 17 ]. Osthafen (East Harbor) in Stralau opened in 1913, and Westhafen (West Harbor) in 1923. The latter, a cleverly designed inland port, was essential to the city’s industrial expansion. There were originally three basins, the central one surrounded by an administration building, warehouses, a granary, cranes for loading and unloading, a casino with a cafeteria, and originally even a church for bargemen. The tower of the administration building beckoned boats like a lighthouse. The Berliner Hafen- und Lagerhausgesellschaft (BEHALA), or Berlin Harbor and Warehouse Company, still operates the port. In addition to its landmarked section, Westhafen also has modern cranes for the transshipment of heavy cargo, bulk cargo, and containers.