Port of Hamburg achieves best-ever throughput in 2014

With total throughput of 145.7 million tons, representing growth of 4.8 percent, the Port of Hamburg achieved its best-ever result in 2014. Up by 6.1 percent at 102.7 million tons, general cargo
throughput was outstanding. A 1.7 percent increase in bulk cargo throughput to 43.0 million tons also contributed to the new record for Germany’s largest universal port. In 2014 the Port of Hamburg set a new record for seaborne cargo handling. Never before had such cargo volumes been loaded and discharged in the Port of Hamburg. “This year of throughput records was possible because port customers and shipowners rely on Hamburg and value our port’s high quality performance. Along with its excellent liner services and links with markets in Germany and abroad, the outstanding level of performance by the port and its many providers of cargo handling, logistics and transport services continue to prove convincing for its many customers. “Internationally, Hamburg belongs in the Champions League of world ports, achieving above-average growth compared to its European competitors,” emphasized Axel Mattern of Port of Hamburg Marketing (HHM)’s Executive Board in presenting the port’s results.

"I am very pleased with the annual result. It shows how important it is to develop and implement intelligent solutions for the port. With our smartPORT strategy, we are set on precisely the right course for the future of the Port of Hamburg," says Jens Meier, CEO of Hamburg Port Authority. The Port of Hamburg employs around 151,000 people. With added value totalling almost 20 billion euros, the port is also of crucial importance for the entire German national economy. To keep the universal port on a continued growth course, in addition to the dredging and widening of the navigation channel on the Lower and Outer Elbe, in Axel Mattern’s view the upgrading and expansion of access and dispersal corridors for the transport of growing cargo volumes by rail, truck and inland waterway craft are vital. Axel Mattern and his Executive Board colleague Ingo Egloff underline that the fresh throughput record had been achieved despite the enormous number of roadworks in progress in the Hamburg area. “That suggests excellent site coordination and tremendous flexibility in the port and transport industry, which made tremendous efforts to maintain reliability in providing their services in the face of tough restraints on cargo transport and handling,” says Axel Mattern.

Port of Hamburg Marketing discharges an essential function as an interface communicating with port customers. As part of its extensive marketing effort, HHM provides information on cargo transport and handling developments in the port and the region. “In this way we strengthen customer loyalty and deepen contacts between the business in the port and the customers. We canvass very specifically for the port itself and the Hamburg Metropolitan Region,” emphasizes Axel Mattern, who is keen to acquire many new member companies from the port and transport sectors, along with logistics and industry.