POST Online Media Lite Edition



 

Positive throughput trend for Port of Hamburg

Christian Fernsby |
The overall trend in seaborne cargo throughput in the Port of Hamburg in the first half of 2021 was positive.

Article continues below




General and bulk cargo throughput picked up markedly in the second quarter. At 63.5 million tons, total seaborne cargo throughput was up by 3.8 percent. Container handling at 4.3 million TEU – 20-ft standard containers - was 5.5 percent up.

After a modest start in the first two months, March and the second quarter brought a distinct surge in container handling. Totalling 19.3 million tons, throughput of bulk goods remained on an upward curve, being ahead by 3.3 percent.

Especially in the first few months of the first half of 2021, the persisting worldwide repercussions of the Corona pandemic were still determining the throughput trend in the Port of Hamburg.

“We find that throughput in the Port of Hamburg has developed positively, embarking on a recovery process. Yet it was not yet possible to fully recover the throughput downturn caused by the repercussions of the pandemic in Hamburg , among other ports. Growing import and exports, heavy consumer demand, and the Port of Hamburg’s immense range of liner services, are bringing us on to a stable growth curve,” explained Axel Mattern, Joint CEO of Port of Hamburg Marketing - HHM.

At the Port of Hamburg online press conference organized by HHM, Axel Mattern was especially gratified by the record figure for railborne container transport. At 1.4 million TEU, during the first six months of the year the Port of Hamburg Railway network achieved a fresh record. “That’s an 11.3 percent advance, underlining Hamburg’s position as Europe’s top rail port,” added Mattern.

The first stage of the fairway adjustment in the Elbe also made a positive impact. Jens Meier, CEO of HPA - Hamburg Port Authority, pointed out that clearance for this had made movement and passing considerably simpler for large vessels.

“Even for the extremely large containerships of the Megamax class, offering slot capacities of between 18,000 and 24,000 TEU, the Port of Hamburg is now more readily accessible. In the first half of 2021 alone, 107 of these Megamax containerships called Hamburg. That’s a 24.4 percent increase, making clear that the fairway adjustment is a successful project for the port, shipping, and the economy,” explained Meier.

In the first six months of the year, 63.5 million tons of seaborne cargo were loaded or discharged at terminals in the Universal Port of Hamburg, or 3.8 percent more than in the previous year. At 44.2 million tons, general cargo throughput was up by 4.0 percent.

The trend was also distinctly upwards for container handling in Hamburg at 4.3 million TEU – 20-ft standard containers, a 5.5 percent increase on the previous year.

Ahead by 6.1 percent, export container handling at 2.1 million TEU rose more strongly than for imports, 5.0 percent up at 2.2 million TEU.

Of special interest for the port’s added value, total throughput of loaded containers, which rose 6.9 percent to 3.8 million TEU, was a very strong feature. At 464,000 TEU, empty box throughput was 4.5 percent lower than in the same period of the previous year.

Bulk cargo throughput at 19.3 million tons achieved growth of 3.3 percent. Within this segment, grab cargo throughput was outstanding, gaining 20 percent to 10.5 million tons. Ahead by 26.3 percent, ore imports were the main reason for this. Throughput of suction and liquid cargoes at 3.2 and 5.6 million tons, respectively, was lower than in the same period of the previous year, being down by 22.6 and 3.3 percent.

A quick glance at returns from the container trades also reveals a positive picture. “Leaving aside Australia/Pacific, the other trades with America, Asia and Africa all reveal a favourable throughput trend. Among the Europe trades, however, the trend was only positive on transhipment throughput with the Scandinavian countries, up by 6.4 percent. Overall, however, the total for Europe trades was slightly ahead, being half a percent up,” said Mattern.

Container handling trends for the Port of Hamburg’s Top Ten trading partners varied during the first six months of 2021. At 1.3 million TEU, seaborne container handling with China, Hamburg’s leading trading partner by a wide margin, achieved a 14.2 percent advance.

Despite the at times massive constraints for cargo handling operators in some Chinese ports, nearly all of them reported first-half growth in container handling.

In the first six months, 22.9 million TEU were handled there, an advance of 14.9 percent.

Remaining Hamburg’s No. 2 partner, with 303,000 TEU - up 5.3 percent - the USA also remained on a growth curve. During the first six months, other Top Ten countries where the container handling trend was positive were: Sweden - up 5.3 percent, South Korea - up 2.4 percent, Poland - up 14.4 percent, Brazil - up 16.1 percent and Denmark - up 6.4 percent. During the first half, these satisfactory developments in seaborne container handling sufficed to offset downturns with other countries.

“A distinct upward trend is evident among Hamburg’s Top Ten trading partners for seaborne container transport. Seven of them already report growth. Among the three with downturns, we are seeing stabilization and slight recovery. Overall, for the Universal Port of Hamburg we assume that growth in seaborne cargo throughput will also continue in the second half,” stressed Mattern.

Despite the positive trend in the Port of Hamburg’s throughput totals, the logistics challenges for worldwide transport chains remain immense.

The problems arise from lack of transport capacities, uncertainties in connection with the further course of the pandemic, and other occurrences such as the recent grounding of a containership in the Suez Canal.

Repercussions then emerge at land-sea transport interfaces, and consequently at Germany’s largest seaport.

“Along with port operators, the Hamburg Port Authority and our port customers, so far we have managed to maintain 24/7 operation in the port. We are all working on optimizing logistics processes in the port as well as in pre- and post-voyage traffic. Our goal is to handle worldwide goods flows in the Port of Hamburg smoothly and efficiently,” emphasized Axel Mattern.

During his address to the Port of Hamburg’s online press conference, Knut Alicke, a partner with McKinsey and Company, stressed how vulnerable global supply chains have become. That is not simply a matter of delays to many ships that can last for weeks, but also digital security and not least, structural influences such as climate change, or crisis situations in specific states.

To be capable of countering such threats, continual analysis is essential. Only those who grasp a new situation rapidly will be capable of adjusting to it, stressed Alicke. Since March 2020, many companies have reacted by intensifying their own supply chain risk management. Only essential resilience of this kind at companies will enable global supply chains to be kept flowing.

In the first six months, 1.4 million TEU were transported on the Port of Hamburg Railway network, an increase of 11.3 percent.

“We are delighted by this record. Despite sometimes difficult conditions, an increase in railborne container transport to and from the Port of Hamburg proved attainable. Our pleasure was also enhanced by the excellent figure of 23.7 million tons - up 4.4 percent - for all freight transported by rail,” said HPA chief Jens Meier.

Port of Hamburg Railway daily handles over 200 freight trains, with more than 5,500 railcars moving along its high-performance network of about 300 kilometres. In Meier’s opinion, even during the corona pandemic the system has proved reliable.

“We regret that on account of the large number of late ship arrivals, during the first half delays also occurred in rail handling in the Port of Hamburg. Yet terminal and rail operators, along with the many inland terminals, made tremendous efforts to avoid bottlenecks in handling,” added Meier.

Among other factors, it proved possible to further boost utilization of container block trains. In the Port of Hamburg’s seaport-hinterland traffic, still better use of track and the equipment deployed boosted rail’s share of modal split. With a 50.7 percent share, in Germany’s largest seaport rail was already the top carrier for landside transport last year.

In addition to the favourable trend on railborne seaport-hinterland services, the first half of 2021 also brought new container block train services between Hamburg and China along the New Silk Road.

Among the sources of additional continental container transport were the new block train services between Hamburg and the Chinese cities of Shijiazhuang in Hebei, and Wuhei in the province of Gansu. Already existing links with Suzhou and Xi’an were expanded by additional providers.

Even the old Silk Road commenced in the ancient Chinese imperial city of Xi’an. Hamburg has the most rail services with Xi’an and freight from there reached terminals in the port on virtually every weekday. Next for number of services is Zhengzhou, capital of Henan province. Since the beginning of the year merchandise from Hanoi in Vietnam has regularly reached Hamburg via this route.

For 2021, the Port of Hamburg’s marketing organization anticipates an upward trend in seaborne cargo throughput. With the stabilization of liner service sailings plus new services, and the situation also improving worldwide, throughput figures of around 130 million tons and 8.7 million TEU should be attainable.


What to read next

Port of Hamburg handles 104m tons of seaborne freight in nine months
Throughput in Port of Hamburg down 7.5 percent
Coronavirus causes decline in cargo handling in Hamburg

U.S.: Areas of excessive rainfall and severe thunderstorm potential today

 
A pair of slow moving storm systems are responsible for prolonged periods of heavy rain and thunderstorms in the Southeast and the Northeast.
 
 

Latest

Baker Hughes: U.S. oil rig count down by 5 to 474
LEGO Group will create 305 new jobs in Prince George County, Virginia
PPG will establish Cleveland County manufacturing center creating 110 jobs
World's first vaccines that don't need refrigeration entered trials

NEWS

Captain of Hong Kong ship charged with damage to Baltic gas pipeline

U.S.: Strong to severe thunderstorms from Southern Plains to Ohio Valley
U.S.: Severe thunderstorms, heavy rain and fire threat
Peru court jails ex-President Humala for money laundering
Bosnia risks air traffic shutdown over unpaid debt
Active weather in Eastern U.S.; warm weather and critical fire weather across portions of West
 

BUSINESS

U.S. rig count drops for first time in three weeks

Azerbaijan seeks investor to build bitumen materials plant
Baker Hughes: U.S. oil rig count up by 2 to 483
Domestic tourism spending in Britain falls by £3bn, analysis reveals
IMF approves $20 billion extended arrangement for Argentina
Bangladesh, Japan sign construction deal for Matarbari deep seaport
 

Trending Now

Mission to "weigh" all of Earth's forests from space launched

Spain unveils plan for Europe's largest hydrogen pipeline network

Government and MBS Global Investments to create Maldives International Financial Centre

NASA's SPHEREx space telescope begins mapping entire sky


POLITICS

Commission: Sweden failing to fulfil its obligations under EU maritime security acquis

European Parliament approved wide framework for screening of foreign direct investments
Government and MBS Global Investments to create Maldives International Financial Centre
Greece and Egypt reaffirm plans for 1,000-kilometre undersea power cable
Czech government buys 80% stake in Dukovany II power plant
Punjab to launch Air Punjab and Pakistan's first bullet train
 

Today We Recommend

Government and MBS Global Investments to create Maldives International Financial Centre


Highlights 

LEGO Group will create 305 new jobs in Prince George County, Virginia

PPG will establish Cleveland County manufacturing center creating 110 jobs

Skechers agrees to be acquired by 3G Capital


COMPANIES

Disney announces Abu Dhabi theme park and resort

Skechers agrees to be acquired by 3G Capital
Incat unveils world’s largest battery-electric vessel
Spain unveils plan for Europe's largest hydrogen pipeline network
Rolls-Royce and Turkish Technic to establish world-leading aero engine maintenance facility
543 new jobs to be created in Wayne, Bay Counties, Michigan
 

CAREERS

Jetcraft appoints Philip Baer as sales director in U.S.

Pere Mañé appointed as new CEO of Suanfarma
Ben Söderling new CEO of Sovellusmestarit Oy and MoveRoll Oy
Helio Fujita joins Mars as global people & organization VP for petcare business
Cold Summit appoints Harld Peters as president of Cold Summit Europe
Royal Van Leeuwen chairman Peter Rietberg stepped down
 

ECONOMY

California is now world’s 4th-largest economy

Thailand's exports jump 17.8 pct to 3-year high in March
Turkish exports hit second highest March figure on record
EU hourly labour costs ranged from €11 to €55 in 2024
U.S. consumer confidence dropped sharply in February
EU records trade surplus for 6 quarters in a row
 

EARNINGS

Ericsson Q2 sales down but North America up

Lockton revenue $3.55 billion
Motorcar Parts of America Q4 sales $189.5 million
Limoneira Q2 revenue $44.6 million
Lululemon athletica Q1 revenue increased 10% to $2.2 billion
PVH Q1 GAAP EBIT $205 million
 

OP-ED

Micromanaging is the worst enemy of efficiency and teamwork

Niger set to monetize massive gas reserves through Saharan natural gas pipeline
Putting the brakes on EV folly that choked the market
Oil discovery in Kavango Basin may mean huge benefits for Namibians
Cape Town and Dubai battle over Africa's energy future
Is America going to lose its superpower status?
 

AGRIFISH

Minister István Nagy: FMD immunity can be announced on May 30

£50 million equipment and technology grants to boost food production, farm profitability
Philippines approves beef supplies from Russia
Hong Kong: Import of poultry meat and products from areas in U.S. suspended
U.S.-Mexico reach agreement on screwworm
Tanzania bans agricultural imports from South Africa and Malawi
 

LEADERSHIP

Study: Missing a deadline has a bigger impact than you might think

Employers prefer younger job candidates for AI roles although experienced workers perform same or better
Study finds workers misjudge wage markets
Some organizations may need to expand their hierarchical structures earlier than others
Study finds there's right way and wrong way to deliver negative feedback in workplace
Allyship is critical and its needs appreciation
 

CRIME

EU fines carmakers €458 million for anti-recycling cartel

Commission fines Pierre Cardin and its licensee Ahlers €5.7 million for restricting cross-border sales of clothing
BHP, Vale agree to pay $30B damages for Brazil dam disaster
Commission fines České dráhy and Österreichische Bundesbahnen €48.7 million over collusion to exclude common compe
SEC charges Keurig with making inaccurate statements regarding recyclability of K-Cup beverage pod
SEC charges John Deere with FCPA violations for subsidiary’s role in Thai bribery scheme
 

Magazine

TRAVEL

Radisson Hotel Group debuts in the heart of Tunisia’s capital city, Tunis

Morocco’s first Radisson branded hotel opens in Casablanca
Buna channels, an unreal and beautiful part of Bosnia and Herzegovina
JW Marriott unveils Mindful Haven with opening of JW Marriott Hotel Nairobi
Sotheby's Sports Week returns with fantastic artifacts
Red Roof properties open in Michigan
 

SEA, LAND, AIR

Citroën C3 Aircross, the most affordable compact SUV with 7 seats

2025 Chevrolet Equinox stands apart with fresh looks and capability
Hill Helicopters HX50, luxury in the sky
Opel Movano becomes fully equipped camper van
Porsche Panamera, new hybrid variants
Dodge Charger, 670 horsepower of electric
 

DESIGN

Cold night, hot fire pit, cool entertainment

Embellish your home with PVC panels
You'll have to hurry if you want one of 20 new Louis Vuitton watches
Luxury duvet looks good, fells good and keeps you healthy
Vacheron Constantin, watches for life and more
Schüller kitchens, where functionality marries design
 

GADGETS

MESA/Boogie Celebrates 40-year partnership with John Petrucci

reMarkable 2, monochrome tablet for your thoughts and your eyes
OnePlus Ace 3V, first with Snapdragon 7 Plus Gen 3
ASUS Zenfone 11 Ultra, flagship with a reason
Samsung Galaxy S24 is photography powerhouse
Casette tapes are making a big comeback, and so are portable players
 

HEALTH

First patient enrolled in Phase 1 clinical trial of Akiram’s cancer drug candidate

FDA grants marketing authorization of first home test for chlamydia, gonorrhea and trichomoniasis
Human cases of anthrax reported in western Mongolia
One more barrier to developing vaccine for HIV removed
Rwanda begins world's first clinical trial for treatment of Marburg virus disease
Rwanda restricts gatherings amid Marburg virus outbreak, to begin trials of vaccine
 

MEANTIME

Mission to "weigh" all of Earth's forests from space launched

NASA's SPHEREx space telescope begins mapping entire sky
Russian academics, gas industry experts see undersea LNG transportation as feasible
India launches space docking experiment mission
World-first carbon-14 diamond battery made
Einstein Telescope step closer