Container throughput at the Port of Hamburg remained almost unchanged year-over-year during the first nine months of 2024 at 5.8 million Twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs).

This was driven by a slight growth in the throughput of loaded containers and an increase in general cargo.

However, the weak German economy continues to impact total throughput at the port.

"The tense political circumstances with the war in Ukraine and the attacks by Houthi militias in the Red Sea merely exacerbate this situation," the port said in a statement.

It noted that total seaborne cargo throughput fell by 3.0% to 84.0 million tonnes from January to September 2024.

Varying status of container throughput

At 5.1 million TEUs, loaded container throughput grew by 0.2% year over year. By contrast, the throughput of empty containers slumped by 4.6% to 722,000 TEU.

Overall container throughput was 5.8 million TEU (down by 0.4 %). Container throughput by tonnes — 58.2 million or 0.1% down – therefore reached almost the same level as in the previous year.

"A larger number of western ports were used as transhipment hubs for Asia-Mediterranean volumes due to the temporary rerouting of vessels around the Cape of Good Hope. Hamburg did not benefit from this positive effect in container throughput," the port added.

It noted that the conventional general cargo segment again offered a silver lining. With its considerable potential for value-added, this segment grew by 3.7% to 904,000 tonnes during the period.

The throughput of bulk cargo at the Port of Hamburg experienced a slight recovery over the course of the year. After the first nine months, it stood at 24.9 million tonnes, recording a 9.3% decline.

The decline had been 12.1% at the halfway point in the year.

Port of Hamburg noted that the drop in coal throughput resulting from the shutdown of some power plants remained a noticeable factor.

China remained as top trading partner

Meanwhile, accounting for a throughput of 1.6 million TEU, the Port of Hamburg said China remained the strongest partner country from January to September 2024.

Trade with the United States is also growing, with the second-strongest partner country recording an increase of 7.6% to 520,000 TEU. 

Trade with Brazil also rose by 2.6% to 124,000 TEUs. Registering growth of 3.5% and throughput of 81,000 TEUs, trade with Mexico also showed growth.

In addition, seaborne trade with Poland (4th place) experienced a positive development with an increase of 16.0% and a volume of 232,000 TEUs, while Malaysia ranked 9th, with 144,000 TEUs and a rise of 29.8%.

The port noted that ship calls with capacity for container cargo were up 0.3% year-on-year in the first three quarters of 2024.

Moderate and small vessel sizes experienced a positive development here.  

Rail features prominently in hinterland transports

"Rail forwarding, a cornerstone of sustainable transport, also developed positively in the first nine months," said Axel Mattern, member of the executive board of Port of Hamburg Marketing (HHM).

"As Europe's largest rail port, we attach great importance to the expansion of rail transport. Container transport in this segment rose by 2.7%, and the Port of Hamburg also gained ground in terms of total rail tonnage," he added.

Container transport by rail in seaport-hinterland transport grew by 2.7% in the first nine months of this year, reaching 2.0 million TEUs.

Total tonnage reached 35.1 million tonnes, representing a year-on-year growth of 1.4%.

"These figures underscore the high performance and environmental benefits of rail transport. Despite poor weather conditions, technical challenges and workforce shortages, rail remains on the path to success," Mattern added.