Elbe 17

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Elbe 17 is the largest drydock in Europe, located in Hamburg (Germany) and administrated by shipbuilding company Blohm + Voss. Completed in 1942 at a length of 351 meters and a width of 59 meters, it is, contrary to popular belief, not the place the famous german battleship Bismarck was built.

It was, however, intended for construction of the massive H-Class battleships.

During World War II, it was used for repair work only and also served as an air shelter. After the war, the huge floatable metal gate was scrapped and the dock served as a harbor mooring place. On December 12th, 1967, construction of a new gate was completed and the first ship to enter the dock was the 190.000 ton tanker Myrina.

Other ships that entered the dock for repairs are the MS Freedom of the Seas at a length of 339 meters, the Queen Mary 2 at a length of 345 meters and the Sovereign Maersk at a length of 347 meters.