The Port of Hamburg transported 2.44 million TEUs of seaport-hinterland cargo by rail in 2018, a year-on-year increase of 4.7%, according to figures released by the Hamburg Port Authority.

This accounted for more than 60,000 cargo trains with approximately 1.6 million freight cars, topping the previous record set in 2016.

“The positive figures for the port railway are a success that we achieved together with our partners last year,” said Jens Meier, CEO of the Hamburg Port Authority. “We can be justly proud of this performance.”

Overall, the Port of Hamburg’s throughput dropped by 1.0% to 8.7 million TEUs, but the port now has more than 100 liner services linking it with most of the 1,000 major seaports around the world.

“Right at the outset of the new year, the Port of Hamburg is off to a flying start as it accepts four new liner services,” said Axel Mattern, joint CEO of Port of Hamburg Marketing. “With weekly sailings from Hamburg, these four trans-Atlantic container services also link ports on the US East Coast plus others in Mexico. With the transfer of these, THE Alliance liner services additional throughput volume of the order of up to 500,000 TEUs is arriving on the Elbe.”

China remained the Port of Hamburg’s largest trading partner in 2018, with one in three of all containers handled going to or coming from China.

“Having handled around 4.8 million TEUs for or from China, compared to other locations in Europe Hamburg is the main hub for China freight by a wide margin,” said Mattern.

freight handling hub for transport along both the maritime and overland Silk Road. “We shall be further strengthening and expanding our location in terms of transport geography for the benefit of our worldwide port customers,” adds Mattern.

HHM’s Joint CEO sees tremendous growth potential in logistically linking the countries of the Baltic region with the Silk Road. No centre anywhere else in Europe offers this variety of direct sea and rail services with China, emphasizes Mattern. “The short distances between the high-sea and hinterland services by all carriers make Hamburg especially attractive as a hub for China trade. “A dense network of around 2,000 container train connections, excellent autobahn infrastructure, a host of possibilities for transport by truck and inland waterway craft, as well as an airport with an air freight centre, justify Hamburg’s claims as a leading logistics hub.

Works to upgrade the Elbe fairway have started. Ingo Egloff, joint CEO of Port of Hamburg Marketing, said that this represents a positive signal for shipping companies and shippers in Germany and internationally.

“Adjustment of the fairway will not just simplify calls in Hamburg for shipowners, but will also permit handling of larger volumes,” he said. “Extra draft and an improved situation for passing on the Elbe will also facilitate better use of transport capacity on their ships.”

Container transport at the port will grow 3-4% in 2019, according to Port of Hamburg Marketing.