From Barnstorf to the water – a day full of experiences

A wonderful day spent together, fascinating insights, and high spirits all around—this year’s company outing took us from Barnstorf via Bremerhaven to Bremen.

We set off from Barnstorf in the morning, relaxed and in high spirits. Naturally, a group breakfast was a must along the way. Fortified by the meal, we continued our journey toward Bremerhaven.

Accompanied by an experienced guide, we explored Bremerhaven on a city tour. We learned a great deal about the city, its history, and—of course—its port.

The drive through the overseas port was particularly interesting. We saw vast numbers of containers waiting to be loaded onto large ocean-going vessels bound for destinations across the globe. This behind-the-scenes look was especially relevant for us, as shipping containers play a vital role in our daily work at BARKU, where they are regularly loaded for export. It was fascinating to see the other side of the port operations firsthand.

After lunch, the weather initially showed its typical North German side. During a brief break in the rain, we ventured a look over the dike and discovered just how strong the wind was. Gradually, the weather improved, and the clouds gave way to sunshine.

Around 3:00 PM, the call finally came: "Cast off!" We left Bremerhaven aboard the *Hanseat*, heading for Bremen. No sooner had the ship picked up speed than the sparkling wine reception began. The hours that followed were all about socializing.

We enjoyed a delicious buffet meal, followed by plenty of time to relax, chat, and take in the journey.

The weather was on our side, too: lovely rays of sunshine drew us out onto the deck, where we could soak up the maritime atmosphere with a drink in hand. Wind, water, ships, and a team in high spirits—you don't need much else for a successful outing. After many wonderful hours, a varied and thoroughly enjoyable company excursion came to an end. Upon arriving back in Barnstorf, the team was unanimous: "Great trip!"

And that is exactly what it was: a day offering interesting insights, maritime impressions, good food, plenty of time for conversation, and—above all—a wonderful shared experience away from the daily work routine.

A heartfelt thank you to our management team for making this possible.