The "Hamburg-Odessa Port Bridge" action alliance — consisting of several Hamburg aid organisations, companies and associations — has sent urgently needed relief supplies to a children's hospital in the Odessa region.

In a statement, the Port of Hamburg noted its long-standing partnership with the Ukrainian Port of Odesa because of the Container Terminal Odesa (CTO), which the Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG (HHLA) has been operating on the Black Sea for more than 20 years.

The port said several partners have joined forces in the "Hamburg-Odessa Harbour Bridge" alliance to support the people of Odessa and the region affected by the ongoing war in the region.

The initiators "Der HAFEN HILFT", the Ukrainian Relief Corps, the Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG (HHLA), the Humanitarian Logistics Organisation (HLO) and Hafen Hamburg Marketing e.V. have jointly appealed to their networks for donations.

The port noted that the funds were swiftly utilized to procure urgently needed relief supplies including medical consumables, food, and medical technology, requested by a children's hospital in the Odessa region.

The HHLA is organising the transportation of these materials from Hamburg's Altenwerder Container Terminal to the Ukrainian port city with the help of its European logistics network, including its rail subsidiary, Metrans.

"The past few weeks have shown us once again how much the civilian population in Odessa is suffering as a result of the war. We are therefore pleased to be able to contribute to alleviating the emergency situation. At the same time, we are impressed by the willingness to donate and the efficiency of the network of Hamburg logistics companies. We would like to express our sincere thanks on behalf of all the partners involved," concludes Axel Mattern, CEO of Port of Hamburg Marketing.

Upon arrival at the Black Sea port, the port said the humanitarian coordination team of the Odesa Military Administration would ensure the distribution of the aid.