Total sea cargo through Port of Hamburg just below previous year, first-quarter 2016

Total sea cargo in the Port of Hamburg, with 34.8 million metric tons, was 2.5% lower in the first quarter of 2016. The economic downturn in China and Russia, both important markets for Hamburg, decelerated somewhat during the first quarter of 2016 – however Hamburg’s marine cargo remained below the previous year’s record level. Contributing to the total is bulk cargo with 11.5 million metric tons (-1.9%) and general cargo at 23.3 million metric tons (-2.7%), both segments are lower compared to the same quarter of 2015. And with 2.2 million TEU (-3.4%) the amount of handled containers was lower compared to the same period in the previous year.

 

The decreased container traffic with China especially influenced the first quarter; China is Port of Hamburg’s most important trading partner. With a decrease of 8.0% to 651,000 TEU, container traffic with China was 57,000 TEU lower compared to the previous year, and this clearly affected the total. Gratifying growth rates were achieved in container traffic with Finland (+ 11.1%), the USA (+ 14.2%), Malaysia (+ 6.4 %), the United Kingdom (+ 31.8%) and India (+ 4.1%), all countries are in the top 10 of trading partners of the Port of Hamburg’s. However, it was not sufficient to reach the same total as the previous year. “All added together, the decline of the top 3 trading partners, China (-8.0%), Singapore (- 7.6%) and Russia (- 4.9%) constituted to the main factor that affected our total results in container handling. But we also see the beginning of the stabilization occurring during the first quarter and we assume that the decrease in volume of container traffic with China and Russia has reached its lowest point. Both countries remain core markets for the Port of Hamburg. A few weeks ago, positive signals reached us from the Russian economy at TransRussia. We were present at the largest Russian logistics trade fair with the numerous functions and discussions with representatives of firms and the world of politics. Even in difficult times the Port of Hamburg remains an essential international trade hub for Russia,” stated Axel Mattern, CEO of Port of Hamburg Marketing (HHM), at its quarterly press conference.

In 2016 the Chinese market will remain a focus point for Port of Hamburg Marketing and its offices in Hong Kong and Shanghai. In mid-June a port business delegation, including representatives of BUSS Port Logistics, Brunsbüttel Ports, TCO Transcargo and HPA Hamburg Port Authority will not only be visiting Shanghai, but also Ningbo, Tianjin and Beijing. On the itinerary are discussions with Chinese representatives of leading import and export companies, specialized talks with Chinese ports and transport companies, as well as trade associations and government agencies. In Shanghai, the members of the delegation will lead a logistics workshop for their Chinese customers and partners. And they also invite them to the Port of Hamburg VIP Dinner. And finally a visit to the “transport logistic China” trade fair is planned.

 

With 2.2 million TEU, the container handling in the first-quarter remained slightly below the previous year’s results, a decrease of 78,000 TEU, or 3.4%. This is primarily due to the slow start of the container traffic with China and Russia in the beginning of the year. Not only Hamburg, other ports were also affected. Fortunately, during the first quarter Hamburg also became a structural port on new liner services. The Colombia fruit transport service of the MAERSK shipping line now links the Colombian ports of Turbo and Santa Maria with the HHLA fruit and cooling center in the O’Swaldkai multi-purpose terminal. Furthermore the HDS/IRISL’s new ECL container service links Hamburg with the ports of Genoa, Istanbul, Port Said and Bandar Abbas every two weeks. Due to the end of trade restrictions of recent years Iran has a large demand for goods for its oil, automotive, chemical and energy industry, and Axel Mattern and his colleague Ingo Egloff assume that Hamburg, with its traditionally excellent relations with Iran, will be of significance as the main Northern European location for cargo to and from Iran.