The Port of Hamburg grew in almost all areas at the start of the year.
Despite the uncertain economic situation, a strong handling result was achieved in the first quarter. Of the three largest European ports, Hamburg is the only one with a positive trend in seaborne cargo throughput.
More goods were moved in almost all segments. Compared to the same period last year, seaborne cargo throughput increased by 3.1% and amounted to 28.3 million tons. Container throughput also developed positively and achieved the best quarterly result in three years. In the months from January to March, 2.0 million TEU were handled in Hamburg, corresponding to 19.9 million tons. Compared to the same period in 2024, this represents growth of 6.3%. Compared to the major western ports (Rotterdam and Antwerp), Hamburg has achieved the strongest relative increase.
Far East drives throughput in Hamburg
The positive result is largely due to the strong trade traffic with the countries in the Far East. Liner services with the growth market of India in particular had a positive impact, the port authority announced. Container throughput with the up-and-coming maritime nation rose by 39.6% to a total of 60,000 TEU. Only Malaysia saw even stronger growth, with an increase of 50.6% to 54,000 TEU. There were signs of a recovery in throughput with China, the largest trading partner. At 597,000 TEU, it achieved an increase of 11.3%.
In contrast, the first effects of the Trump administration’s measures were seen in trade with the USA as a trading partner. Many US warehouses were filled towards the end of last year. The Port of Hamburg’s container throughput for the US trade lane was correspondingly lower in the first quarter: It fell by 19% to 145,000 TEU.
HHLA also reported positive figures: the terminal operator was able to increase both its revenue and operating result compared to the same period last year.
More breakbulk, less coal and ore
The Port of Hamburg also saw an upward trend in conventional breakbulk. With an increase of 3.5%, breakbulk throughput rose to 280,000 tons. Together with container handling, general cargo handling recorded an overall increase of 4.7% to 20.2 million tons. From January to March 2025, handling of bulk goods remained stable overall at 8.1 million tons (-0.8%).
Handling of grab cargo in the port declined (-5.8%) due to lower demand in the wake of the energy transition. Coal and ores were also transported less by rail: At 10.9 million tons, 5.7% less was loaded onto the railroads. The handling of suction cargo fell by 14.3%, while liquid cargo developed “very well” with an increase of 23.6%.
While transhipment traffic in particular has suffered from the geopolitical conditions in recent times, it showed an upward trend at the beginning of the year with an increase of 15.3% to 723,000 TEU. “This was due to the addition of liner services, from which volumes were transported onwards by feeder ship, as well as the possible acquisition of transhipment volumes as part of the restructuring of the shipping company alliances,” according to the Port of Hamburg Authority. Traffic to the hinterland increased to 1.3 million TEU (+1.8%). This in turn benefited the railroads, which transported 645,000 TEU (+0.7%) according to preliminary figures.
