Port of Hamburg saw its 2022 performance dragged by persisting global uncertainties, including the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war and recent global economic downturn.

Hamburg terminals handled 119.9 million tonnes of cargo last year, 6.8% less than in the previous year, as international crises impacted the Port of Hamburg's seaborne cargo throughput.

Nonetheless, the Port noted that with growth of 11.2% to 1.4 million tonnes, the trend for conventional general cargo was positive.

Yet, it added that handling of general cargo was 5.8% down at 83.7 million tonnes.

At 36.2 million tonnes, throughput of bulk cargoes in the port was also 8.9% lower year-on-year.

"The war in Ukraine plus the related sanctions against Russia, along with worldwide supply chain problems caused by the corona pandemic, impacted Port of Hamburg throughput during the year. This was compounded by labour disputes in the port at the beginning of the second half of the year and very high inflation in the course of the autumn, which caused consumer spending to fall to a low point," said Axel Mattern, Port of Hamburg Marketing's CEO.

The Port reported that lower volumes of bulk cargo are both directly and indirectly attributable to stiffer sanctions against Russia.

Falls occurred in both suction cargo — down 6.0% at 6.0 million tonnes and grab cargo — 6.3% lower at 20.2 million tonens — as well as liquid cargo — down 15.2% at 10.0 million tonnes.

While taking downturns last year in bulk cargo handling, the Port of Hamburg noted that it is in the process of preparing for new products and volumes nonetheless. 

In particular, it said that its transformation into a "cutting-edge energy hub" has already commenced.

"In February 2022, we signed an agreement with Air Products, the world's largest hydrogen producer, providing for exploration of the opportunities for building up a comprehensive hydrogen added value chain throughout the Port of Hamburg," said Friedrich Stuhrmann, CCO of der HPA - Hamburg Port Authority.

Stuhrmann noted that in November, Air Products and Mabanaft announced that Germany's first large import terminal for green hydrogen would be built on Oiltanking Deutschland's site in the port.

"With this, the Port of Hamburg will be playing a pioneering role in hydrogen imports and helping ensure supplies for Germany. By constructing shore power supply units at both cruise and container terminals, HPA will be well on the way to becoming a climate-neutral port," added Stuhrmann.

China remains No.1 trading partner

For 2022, Port of Hamburg said a total of 8.3 million TEUs crossed quay walls in the port, or 5.1% fewer than in the previous year.

A quarterly comparison reveals a positive trend in the first half. Down by 12.3%, throughput fell steeply in the fourth quarter, however.

"With Christmas coming, in the final quarter we should normally see a rise in throughput totals. That failed to happen last year. The main reasons were high energy costs and inventories in industry," Mattern said.

At 4.2 million, seaborne container imports were consequently 6.1% lower. For comparison, 4.1 million TEU were exported, a 4.1% fall on the previous year.

Port of Hamburg said the 2022 list of Top 10 trading partner countries produced a "few pleasant surprises."

It said at 294,000 TEUs, throughput with Poland was up by almost 25%, putting the country in fourth place. Throughput trends with Finland were similarly positive, a 22.3% gain to 213,000 TEU, putting the country into sixth place.

There was also a further positive signal from Canada, with throughput up by 6.6% to at least 196,000 TEU and advancing the country from twelfth into ninth place.

"In 2022, China again headed the list of Top 10 partner countries with 2.46 million TEUs - down by 3.8%. The USA followed in second place with 605,000 TEU, representing a fall of 2.1%. Nevertheless, the total number of loaded boxes in container traffic with the USA rose by 0.6% to 540,000 TEUs," the port said. 

It added that Singapore retained a steady third place with 423,000 TEUs - down 1.1%, while both Sri Lanka and Malaysia were encouraging elements in the extended list of partner countries.

"While in the previous year Russia had been in fourth position as a top partner, in 2022, throughput of around 80,000 TEU still sufficed for twenty-seventh place," Port of Hamburg said.

Outlook for 2023

The Port noted that container throughput totals reveals that transhipment trades were over 90% responsible for the decline there.

Throughput dropped by 12.1% to 2.90 million TEUs. Hinterland trades remained almost stable, with volume down by only 0.9% to 5.4 million TEU.

Port of Hamburg said rail retained its lead in the modal split on hinterland services.

"More than half of all containers were still being shifted by rail. At 50.5% - down 1 percentage point, the overall result may be slightly negative. Shifting 2.7 million TEUs, however, rail remains the top mode of transport for the hinterland," it added, noting that despite the 2.8% downturn in this segment, rail achieved the second-best annual result in its history.

Port of Hamburg noted that the continuing uncertain situation in global markets makes it hard to deliver a forecast for the year 2023 — although it said that the general recovery of the global economy would be a good boost for the port.

"We hope the global economy will again recover. That will aid and boost throughput for the Port of Hamburg," Mattern said.