Port of Hamburg saw record throughput on its Austria services citing increasing trade between Germany and Vienna.
Germany's largest seaport by volume and Europe's third busiest port recorded a 2021 container throughput of 320,776 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU) up 6.46% from the previous year setting a "fresh record" for the port.
"Despite the corona pandemic, both generally good demand for export goods and stable imports ensured a positive trend. The year 2022 also started well," said Alexander Till, head of HHM - Port of Hamburg marketing's representative office for Austria in Vienna.
"Ever since the start of containerization in the 1970s, Hamburg has remained the most important port for Austria in this segment. In recent decades, its market share has constantly been between 40% and 50%," Till added.
Port of Hamburg noted that the figure for total throughput is still "more impressive."
It said at 5.6 million tons, this was up by 26.74% from the figure seen in 2020.
The German port noted that the main products exported from Austria were timber, paper, beverages, fittings, machinery, and plant. Austria, meanwhile, mainly import merchandise, furniture, building materials, sports goods, and bulk cargoes like coal and iron ore.
"Since 2019, VOEST has again been regularly importing iron ore and coal via Hamburg. 2021 the total was 2.3 million tons. In this sector, that represents significant business for the Port of Hamburg," Till said while citing the advantages being offered by Port of Hamburg.
"No other port offers Austrian industry such favourable conditions. Rail dominates, transporting 98% of Austrian container volume to and from Hamburg," Till said.
Cargo rail connections
Hamburg is also the top destination for Austrian Rail - ÖBB container trains.
The gateway said well-developed rail routes to Hamburg allow trains to be operated with maximum weight and length.
"This makes the freight rate per container unbeatably reasonable. In 2021, 160 block train services per week linked Austria with Hamburg," it added.
