Despite subdued economic growth and geopolitical tensions, the Port of Hamburg recorded stable growth in the first half of 2025.
Seaborne cargo throughput reached 57.8 million tonnes from January to June 2025, a 3.6 per cent rise year-on-year (YoY).
Container throughput grew 9.3 per cent to 4.2 million TEU. Imports jumped 11.6 per cent, exports rose 6.9 per cent.
Containerised cargo by weight increased 6.8 per cent to 41.2 million tonnes. Axel Mattern, CEO of Port of Hamburg Marketing, credits new liner services and shipping company restructuring for the port’s market share gains.
Bulk cargo throughput fell 3.7 per cent to 0.6 million tonnes. Conventional general cargo dropped 3.8 per cent to 16 million tonnes.
Liquid cargo increased 10.3 per cent to 4.7 million tonnes. Grabbable cargo declined 6.6 per cent to 8.5 million tonnes, affected by lower coal and ore demand.
Agricultural goods fell 13.9 per cent to 2.9 million tonnes, with grain exports down 80.8 per cent despite a rise in oilseed imports.
Container throughput grew mainly in the Far East (+10.7 per cent to 1.8 million TEU) and Baltic Sea (+20.8 per cent to 734,000 TEU) routes.
Malaysia (+93.2 per cent), India (+41.6 per cent), and China (+10.5 per cent) led Asia’s growth.
Baltic countries Denmark (+36 per cent), Finland (+20.1 per cent), and Poland (+28.8 per cent) also saw strong increases. The US was the only major partner with a decline (-19.3 per cent), linked to trade policy upheavals.
Ship calls rose 0.7 per cent YoY, with large containerships (over 10,000 TEU) up 51.6 per cent to 285 calls. Ultra-large vessels (over 24,000 TEU) increased 29.6 per cent to 127 calls.
New liner services connecting Hamburg with the Mediterranean, Middle East, Far East, and India helped stabilise traffic, including rerouting around the Cape of Good Hope.
Container hinterland transport grew 2.2 per cent to 2.6 million TEU. Transhipment throughput surged 23.8 per cent to 1.6 million TEU in H1 2025.
Last month, the Port of Hamburg announced a €1.1 billion ($1.29 billion) investment to enhance the Elbe approach to the Waltershofer Hafen and develop additional terminal yards.