Container throughput at the Port of Hamburg reached 5.8 million TEUs in the first nine months of 2024, maintaining nearly the same level as the previous year.
A slight increase was noted in the handling of loaded containers, along with growth in general cargo.
“Rail forwarding, a cornerstone of sustainable transport, also showed positive development during this period. As Europe’s largest rail port, we attach great importance to the expansion of rail transport. Container transport in this segment rose by 2.7% and the Port of Hamburg also gained ground in terms of total rail tonnage,” stated Axel Mattern, Member of the Executive Board of Port of Hamburg Marketing (HHM).
Despite these gains, Germany’s weak economic performance continues to weigh on the port’s overall throughput. The challenging political climate, including the ongoing war in Ukraine and recent Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, has further compounded these difficulties. As a result, total seaborne cargo throughput declined by 3%, amounting to 84 million tonnes between January and September 2024.
Loaded container throughput at the Port of Hamburg reached 5.1 million TEUs in the first nine months of 2024, reflecting a slight year-on-year increase of 0.2%. In contrast, empty container throughput dropped significantly, falling 4.6% to 722,000 TEUs.
Overall container throughput stood at 5.8 million TEUs, a modest decline of 0.4%. Measured by tonnage, container throughput totalled 58.2 million tonnes, representing a decrease of 0.1% compared to the previous year.
A temporary rerouting of vessels via the Cape of Good Hope led to increased use of western ports as transshipment hubs for Asia-Mediterranean trade. However, Hamburg did not benefit from this shift in container traffic.
On a more positive note, the conventional general cargo segment showed significant growth, rising 3.7% to 904,000 tonnes. This segment, known for its potential to generate added value, continued to provide a bright spot for the German port’s overall performance.
Furthermore, China remained the Port of Hamburg’s strongest trading partner from January to September 2024, with a throughput of 1.6 million TEUs. Trade with the United States, the port’s second-largest partner, also grew, rising by 7.6% to 520,000 TEUs. Brazil recorded a 2.6% increase, reaching 124,000 TEUs, while Mexico posted a 3.5% rise to 81,000 TEUs, highlighting another positive trend.
In addition, seaborne trade with Poland, the fourth-largest partner, saw a notable growth of 16%, with a volume of 232,000 TEUs. Malaysia, ranked ninth, showed the most substantial increase, with a 29.8% rise to 144,000 TEUs.
