With total throughput of 145.7m tonnes, representing growth of 4.8 per cent, the Port of Hamburg achieved its best-ever result in 2014.
Up by 6.1 per cent at 102.7m tons, general cargo throughput was outstanding. A 1.7 per cent increase in bulk cargo throughput to 43m tons also contributed to the new record for Germany’s largest universal port.
“This year of throughput records was possible because port customers and shipowners rely on Hamburg and value our port’s high quality performance,' emphasised Axel Mattern of Port of Hamburg Marketing (HHM)’s executive board. “Internationally, Hamburg belongs in the Champions League of world ports, achieving above-average growth compared to its European competitors.”
At 9.7m TEU (20-ft standard containers), Hamburg’s container throughput achieved a gain of 5.1 per cent, above average for ports in northern Europe while remaining just below a fresh record 10m TEU mark that is now the aim for 2015.
Strong growth in container throughput is primarily attributable to a 9.8 per cent jump in container services with China.
Throughput of non-containerized general cargo reached 2.0million tons (up by 3.8 percent) in 2014. Growth was fuelled by exports of iron, steel, paper and timber, and a notable 19.6 percent increase in imports of tropical fruit that reached 188,000 tons.
For 2015 the Port of Hamburg’s marketing organisation forecasts a further climb in throughput of seaborne cargo.
By the end of the year the total could reach 149 m tonnes, with the 10m TEU mark achieved for containers. Further growth in seaborne foreign trade with core markets is however 'essential' for achievement of these figures.
