Hamburg port (Germany) cargo turnover down 23%, Q I-III 2009

Cargo turnover of Hamburg port, the largest port of Germany, decreased by 23% (to 82.8 mln tons) within 9 months 2009 as compared to the corresponding period of 2008, as of information provided by association uniting port administration representatives and freight companies operating in Hamburg port, Hafen Hamburg Marketing (HHM).

Bulk cargo turnover (coal, ore, grains) decreased by 12% (to 27.3 mln tons) within the reporting period. Box turnover of the port reduced by 27.8% (to 53.6 mln tons (5.3 mln TEU). Volume of container trade with Asian countries decreased by 25.5%. At the same time box throughput of the port showed 4%-increase in QIII of the current year against QII 2009.
As per Kloudy Roller, Head of HHM, the company does not expect improvement of the situation in QIV. November and December are traditionally ‘weak’ months. The company predicts box turnover under 8 mln TEU as of year results.

Hamburg port is located in the Elba river estuary, 100 km away from the Sea but able to receive 250 thousand tons dwt vessels. Hamburg port is the third large European port after Rotterdam and Antwerp, and the second large European container terminal. Hamburg port cargo turnover amounted to 140.4 million tons in 2008.