The Port of Hamburg looks back on a challenging first half of 2026. With a total throughput of 56.1 million tonnes, Germany’s largest seaport recorded a 3.1 per cent decline compared with the same period last year. Having largely offset the weather-related losses from January by the end of the first quarter, this result was characterised by the ongoing terminal modernisation process and a decline in imports of petroleum products due to the war in Iran.
 
Bulk cargo throughput volumes below previous year’s level due to Iran war
In the bulk cargo segment, cargo throughput totalled 15.9 million tonnes, around 1.1 per cent below the figure for the same period last year. Whilst throughput of liquid bulk cargo fell significantly by 14.0 per cent, that of dry bulk cargo grew by 4.2 per cent. The pressure on global energy markets caused by the war in Iran has led to lower petroleum imports and a decline in biodiesel throughput since April. This has been countered by significant growth in ore imports and grain exports.
 
Conventional general cargo throughput is declining due to weak exports of steel products
The handling of conventional general cargo is subject to significant fluctuations given the high value of the cargo and a comparatively small number of handling operations. In the first half of 2026, with a total volume of 535 thousand tonnes, a significant decline of 5.0 per cent was recorded, primarily due to lower exports of steel products; however, this decline was less pronounced than at the end of the first quarter.
 
Container throughput at 4.0 million TEU in the first half of 2026
In the first two quarters of 2026, a total of 4.0 million TEU were handled at the Port of Hamburg. In the same period last year, volumes were 3.8 per cent higher in TEU and 4.0 per cent higher in tonnes. Ongoing modernisation measures by HHLA, which will enable more efficient handling in future, had led to reduced terminal capacity in the past quarter.
 
Trade increased with Singapore (+13.1 per cent), Finland (+24.7 per cent), India (+7.2 per cent) and Morocco (+4.7 per cent). Overall, however, the market environment remains challenging. The decline in cargo handling with the US is particularly marked (-13.5%), but negative trends in container handling were also recorded with China and the UK in the first half of 2026.
 
Hamburg Port Authority
Since 2005, the Hamburg Port Authority (HPA) has been providing forward-looking, one-stop port management and is active in all areas relating to efficiency, safety and cost-effectiveness in the Port of Hamburg. The HPA meets the port’s growing demands with intelligent and innovative solutions. The HPA is responsible for the efficient, resource-conserving and sustainable planning and implementation of infrastructure projects in the port and acts as the point of contact for all matters relating to water- and land-side infrastructure, the safety and smooth flow of shipping traffic, port railway facilities, property management and economic conditions within the port. To this end, the HPA provides the necessary land and undertakes all public authority tasks and port-related services. It markets specialist, port-specific expertise and represents Hamburg’s port interests at national and international level.