- Import volumes grow 11.6% amid new liner services.
- Asian trade up 10.7%, Baltic Sea trade up 20.8%.
- New routes to the Mediterranean, the Middle East, Asia and India boost traffic.
The Port of Hamburg saw impressive growth in container volumes during the first half of 2025, despite facing some tough economic conditions and geopolitical challenges. Container throughput jumped by 9.3%, hitting 4.2 million TEUs, thanks in large part to more liner services making stops at the port. Import volumes also surged, increasing by 11.6%, reports Lloyd’s List.
Positive Market Response
“We are delighted that the Port of Hamburg is able to benefit to this extent from new liner services and the restructuring of the shipping companies,” said Port of Hamburg marketing chief executive Axel Mattern. “In comparison with competing ports, Hamburg is thus able to set an extremely positive example and gain market share.”
Boost from Asian and Baltic Sea Volumes
A significant share of the growth came from trade with Asia, which was up 10.7% year on year to 1.8m teu. The Baltic Sea region also contributed strongly, with volumes rising 20.8% to 734,000 teu.
New liner services connecting Hamburg with the Mediterranean, the Middle East, Asia, and India further strengthened throughput. “The container carriers have adapted better to rerouting around the Cape of Good Hope, such that the number of ship calls has stabilised,” the port noted.
Growth in Hinterland and Transhipment Volumes
The port’s container transport to the hinterland saw a 2.2% increase compared to last year, reaching 2.6 million TEUs, which really highlights its role as a vital logistics hub. Meanwhile, transhipment volumes experienced an even more impressive surge, jumping by 23.8% to 1.6 million TEUs in the first half of 2025.
“With renewed growth in container hinterland transport, the Port of Hamburg is maintaining a long-term trend,” said Hamburg Port Authority chief commercial officer Friedrich Stuhrmann. “It will once again live up to its role as a hub between the markets in the Far East and Northern Europe, particularly the Baltic Sea region.”
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Source: Lloyd’s List
