Harburg seaport industrial and business area

Dynamic transshipment centre with future potential

The Harburg Seaport industrial and business area is an essential part of the Port of Hamburg and offers excellent logistical conditions for companies. Numerous companies in the fields of recycling and circular economy, building materials trade and the food industry can benefit from the available space potential and the central importance of the location. The dynamic development in Harburg's inland port, supported by the Fraunhofer Centre for Maritime Logistics and Services, underlines the attractiveness of this important handling location.

Here you can view an interactive map of selected industry locations in Hamburg.

To the interactive map of the most important industrial locations in Hamburg — © Freiland Hamburg

Key figures

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Companies located here: t.b.a.

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Locational benefits of Harburg seaport

Container terminals and cargo ships in Harburg seaport — © Manufacturing Cities/Kai Michael Dietrich

An important part of the Port of Hamburg

The Harburg seaport plays a central role in the Port of Hamburg with a special focus on general cargo, bulk goods and tankers. A key strategic logistics advantage of the port is its connection to the Hamburg port railway, which ensures a seamless link between ship and rail. This connection enables the efficient transport of large quantities of goods to the European hinterland and contributes to an environmentally friendly logistics solution by reducing dependence on road transport. DB Cargo Full Load Solutions is another key factor for rail freight handling in the Harburg seaport. This branch organises full loads by combining different modes of transport - from rail and road to combined transport. Rail-based solutions from DB Cargo make a significant contribution to reducing CO₂ emissions and offer flexible and reliable logistics solutions for national and international supply chains. Thanks to this optimal infrastructure, the Harburg seaport is establishing itself as an important transhipment centre for international freight transport and strengthening the Port of Hamburg's competitiveness.

Large open space in the Harburg seaport area — © Manufacturing Cities/Kai Michael Dietrich

Land potential through remediation of contaminated sites

The targeted remediation of contaminated sites is creating new space potential at the Harburg seaport, which is making a significant contribution to the dynamic development of this important transhipment centre. The clearing and preparation of former industrial and harbour sites makes it possible to provide modern and attractive areas for companies. Thanks to its excellent location in the Port of Hamburg and its modern infrastructure, the Harburg seaport offers optimal conditions for the efficient handling of goods flows. Companies from the recycling, circular economy, building materials and food sectors in particular benefit from the newly acquired space and the transport links to major transport routes. These ensure fast and flexible transport solutions for regional and international markets. Supported by the Fraunhofer Centre for Maritime Logistics and Services, which promotes innovative logistics concepts and sustainable technologies, the Harburg seaport is strengthening its role as an important transhipment point and thus securing the economic and ecological future viability of the Hamburg port region.

Harbour cranes are used for recycling processing — © Manufacturing Cities/Kai Michael Dietrich

A central location for recycling and the circular economy

The Harburg seaports are an important hub for the recycling and circular economy within the Port of Hamburg. Companies such as European Metal Recycling (EMR) and TSR Deutschland GmbH are based there and make a significant contribution to the environmentally friendly use of raw materials.
European Metal Recycling processes ten million tonnes of waste materials worldwide every year to produce over 200 new sustainable raw materials. Their focus is on sustainability and working closely with customers to positively shape climate change. TSR Deutschland GmbH operates one of the Group's most modern scrap yards at 2 Hafenstrasse 4. Over 30,000 tonnes of scrap are processed here every month and delivered to steelworks in Germany and abroad. TSR also offers the purchase of ferrous and non-ferrous metals as well as customised disposal solutions. The Harburg seaports actively promote the circular economy by serving as a central platform for innovative recycling solutions. These activities support the conservation of resources and combine economic efficiency with ecological responsibility in the region.

IBEKA industrial site in Harburg seaport — © Manufacturing Cities/Kai Michael Dietrich

Food industry in Harburg harbour: Cargill, Hamburger Leistungsfutter and S&A Silo

The Harburg seaports are an important location for companies in the food industry. Cargill operates one of Europe's most modern vegetable oil refineries here, which produces a wide range of vegetable oils and fats for the food industry. The product portfolio includes rapeseed, sunflower and palm oil, which is processed in flexible production processes and delivered "just-in-time". HL Hamburger Leistungsfutter GmbH, a leading manufacturer of speciality and pet food, is also based in Hamburg. The company supplies feed that impresses with its quality and cost-effectiveness. HL Hamburger Leistungsfutter remains competitive thanks to innovative solutions in raw material refinement. At the Harburg site, S&A Service- und Anwendungstechnik offers comprehensive services for the storage and treatment of agricultural products. With a capacity of 37,000 tonnes in separate silo cells, S&A guarantees the professional storage and processing of grain, oilseeds and animal feed. These companies demonstrate the importance of Harburg as a central hub for food production and logistics.

Concrete mixer truck in Harburg seaport — © Manufacturing Cities/Kai Michael Dietrich

Building materials trade: Thomas Beton, Holcim and Heidelberg Materials

The Port of Harburg is home to important players in the building materials trade, whose products play a central role on numerous construction sites in Hamburg and the surrounding region. They make a significant contribution to urban and regional development. Thomas Beton focusses on sustainable construction and uses concrete as a robust and durable material. Holcim Germany focuses on innovative construction solutions and promotes the efficient use of resources to support sustainable construction projects. Heidelberg Materials offers a wide range of building materials such as cement, ready-mix concrete, sand and gravel, which are essential for the construction of residential buildings, transport routes and industrial plants. These companies utilise the advantages of port logistics at the site to supply the construction industry in Hamburg and northern Germany reliably and efficiently. They thus make a significant contribution to the realisation of construction projects of all kinds. Through their close networking with local craft businesses and construction companies, these players not only strengthen the economic power of the region, but also promote the realisation of innovative and sustainable construction projects.

Idyllic seaport ambience with modern new building in the background — © Manufacturing Cities/Kai Michael Dietrich

Dynamic development in the Harburg inland harbour

The Harburg inland port has developed into a dynamic centre for technology companies and research institutions that focus on maritime topics. The Hamburg Innovation Port (HIP) plays a central role in this transformation. It offers companies and research institutions, especially those with a maritime focus, development and office space as well as laboratories and co-working spaces. The innovation centre promotes cooperation between business and science and supports the establishment of an active start-up scene. The Fraunhofer Centre for Maritime Logistics and Services (CML) is anchored in this environment and develops innovative solutions for the maritime industry and its logistics chain. Becker Marine Systems, another important player in the inland port, is a leading provider of manoeuvring and energy-saving systems. Its products, installed on over 9,000 ships worldwide, have made significant contributions to CO2 reduction. This dynamic development in Harburg's inland port demonstrates the targeted promotion of synergies between research and industry and emphasises the importance of the location for maritime innovations.

Impressions from Harburg seaport area

Modern office building in the Harburg seaport industrial and commercial area — © Manufacturing Cities/Kai Michael Dietrich

Entrance to the premises of the Cargo Full Load Sulutions office in Hamburg Harburg — © Manufacturing Cities/Kai Michael Dietrich

Buildings and railway tracks in Harburg — © Manufacturing Cities/Kai Michael Dietrich

Buildings and industrial facilities of HJM, a harbour handling company in Harburg — © Manufacturing Cities/Kai Michael Dietrich

Warehouses and containers located directly on the edge of the harbour — © Manufacturing Cities/Kai Michael Dietrich

Industrial site of Noblee, a former oil producer — © Manufacturing Cities/Kai Michael Dietrich

Office building with modern architecture at the Harburg seaport site — © Manufacturing Cities/Kai Michael Dietrich

View of the Harburg seaport with ships and office buildings along the harbour — © Manufacturing Cities/Kai Michael Dietrich

Lorry parked in front of the silos of the pest control company Rentokil — © Manufacturing Cities/Kai Michael Dietrich

Silos, cranes and container buildings in the Harburg seaport area — © Manufacturing Cities/Kai Michael Dietrich

Crane and blue factory halls in Harburg — © Manufacturing Cities/Kai Michael Dietrich

Thematic maps of Harburg seaport

Infographic on transport links in the Harburg seaport industrial and commercial location

Connectivity

The Harburg seaport industrial and commercial location has excellent transport connections. The site is easily accessible by car via the well-developed road network, including the A1, A7 and B75 motorways. Employees also benefit from efficient public transport connections: several bus routes and the S3 and S31 S-Bahn lines ensure fast and convenient accessibility from Hamburg city centre and the surrounding area.

Standard land values

The standard land value is the land value of a fictitious plot of land that is ideal for its surroundings. In the Harburg Seaport industrial and commercial area, the standard land value is between approx. € 320 and € 460 per square metre.

Infographic on hazardous operations in the Harburg seaport industrial and commercial site

Hazardous operations at the location

Among Hamburg's many companies, there are also some that handle large quantities of hazardous substances, meaning that risks to the neighbourhood cannot be completely ruled out in the event of an incident. There are few of these hazardous incident companies at the Harburg seaport site.

Harburg seaport: selected company profiles

Holborn Europa refinery site in Hamburg Harburg — © Manufacturing Cities/Kai Michael Dietrich

Holborn Europa Raffinerie GmbH

Holborn Europa Raffinerie GmbH supplies Hamburg and northern Germany with fuels, heating products and chemical raw materials in the Harburg seaport industrial estate. With over 35 years of experience, the company stands for efficiency and high product quality. Holborn is actively involved in the energy transition to promote lower CO2 solutions. Environmental protection is a key concern, with up to a third of the total budget being channelled into corresponding measures each year. These include improving water treatment and technical emission monitoring in order to avoid waste and save energy. These investments not only strengthen environmental protection, but also the refinery's competitiveness. Holborn belongs to Holborn Investment Company Limited and is part of the Oilinvest Group. The refinery purchases crude oil from Wilhelmshaven via Norddeutsche Ölleitungs GmbH (NDO) and a stake in Nord-West Oelleitung GmbH (NWO). As a contract processor on behalf of HOLBORN European Marketing Company Limited, the company concentrates on the production of high-quality products, while its sister company handles sales.

Site of the old Moorburg coal-fired power station — © Manufacturing Cities/Kai Michael Dietrich

Moorburg Energy Hub - Hamburg Green Hydrogen Hub (HGHH)

The Hamburg Green Hydrogen Hub (HGHH) is being built on the site of the former Moorburg coal-fired power plant with a planned 100 MW electrolysis plant that will produce around 10,000 tonnes of green hydrogen from renewable energies every year from 2027. The consortium of Luxcara and Hamburger Energiewerke has commissioned Siemens Energy to supply a PEM electrolyser. The project utilises the existing power plant infrastructure and is supported by national subsidies. The hydrogen will be supplied to the port industry and other industrial sectors via the HH-WIN network and a planned lorry loading station in order to drive forward the energy transition in Hamburg. The project thus sets an important milestone for sustainable energy supply and strengthens Hamburg's role as a pioneer in the green hydrogen economy.

Company premises of Mauser Werke GmbH at the Harburg site — © Manufacturing Cities/Kai Michael Dietrich

Mauser-Werke GmbH (Mauser Packaging Solutions)

Mauser-Werke GmbH is part of Mauser Packaging Solutions, which specialises in the production of industrial packaging at the industrial site in Harburg seaport. The product range includes plastic packaging, fibre drums, steel drums and intermediate bulk containers (IBCs). The company also offers take-back and reconditioning of this packaging, which is an essential part of its sustainable business model. The Mauser plants are part of a global network that employs more than 11,000 people at over 180 locations. They supply customers from the chemical, petrochemical, agricultural, pharmaceutical and food industries. The site in Harburg plays an important role in the regional production of packaging solutions and contributes to supplying these industries with specialised products.

Scrap recycling plant from TSR Germany in Harburg seaport — © Manufacturing Cities/Kai Michael Dietrich

TSR Germany GmbH & Co. KG

TSR Deutschland GmbH operates one of the most modern scrap recycling facilities within its group of companies at its site at 2 Hafenstrasse 4 in Hamburg. Over 30,000 tonnes of scrap are processed here every month and delivered to domestic and foreign steelworks. The company offers comprehensive recycling solutions for a wide range of scrap types and fulfils the highest recycling standards. TSR Germany is an established partner for numerous large companies in Hamburg and the surrounding area that rely on its recycling expertise and ability to develop customised disposal solutions. TSR is also involved in the purchase of ferrous and non-ferrous metals such as copper, zinc and aluminium, which makes the company an important player in the supply of raw materials. The site in Hamburg makes a decisive contribution to sustainable recycling management in the region.

The Cargill vegetable oil refinery is based in the Harburg district of Hamburg — © Manufacturing Cities/Kai Michael Dietrich

Cargill Germany GmbH

In the Hamburg district of Harburg, Cargill operates a modern vegetable oil refinery that specialises in the production of oils and fats for the food industry. The product range includes rapeseed, sunflower and palm oils as well as coconut oil. The plant utilises advanced fat hardening technologies to deliver customer-oriented products on a just-in-time basis. The site has expanded its capacity by building a jetty and investing in refining technology. The refinery, originally established in 1896 and acquired by Cargill in 1998, produces around 300 fat blends. These are used in food, pet food and technical products. Cargill is involved locally with the "Cares Council" for social and environmentally friendly projects such as "Hamburg Cleans Up" and participates in campaigns for World Food Day, which emphasises the company's responsibility to the community.

Industrial site of the chemical manufacturer Hobum Oleochemicals in Harburg — © Manufacturing Cities/Kai Michael Dietrich

Hobum Oleochemicals GmbH

HOBUM Oleochemicals GmbH has been operating in the Harburg district of Hamburg since 1896 and is now in its fourth generation as a family business. Under the motto "Natural. Innovative." hOBUM combines an appreciation of nature with an independent corporate culture. Sustainability is a key element, with HOBUM leading the way in sustainable chemistry by utilising plant-based and bio-based raw materials such as unsaturated vegetable oils and their derivatives. HOBUM develops chemicals such as epoxy resins, alkyd resins and esters that provide solutions for sustainable products. The company sees innovation as the core of its activities and continuously strives for process improvements in harmony with limited resources. HOBUM's research drives the development of applications that make life easier and safer, from flexible mobile phone covers to durable automotive coatings. With this philosophy, HOBUM supports a wide range of customers, from medium-sized companies to multinational corporations, in the use of sustainable chemical components.

Disclaimer

Note on area sizes: The industrial and commercial area referred to in the key figures indicates the gross area according to the maps displayed. These include different proportions of water areas, transport areas and green areas. Therefore, it is not possible to make a direct comparison between the individual locations presented on these pages, e.g. in terms of workforce per hectare.

Note on employment figures: Information on the local workforce is mostly provided by the German Federal Employment Agency. In some cases, figures are not broken down by individual company branches and locations, i.e. aggregate employment figures are provided instead. In such cases, the statistical business register does not include more detailed figures. Moreover, please note potential limitations of data collection e.g. in terms of minimum thresholds. As a result, the figures provided should be regarded as approximate figures that are intended to provide general guidance only.

Note on revenue figures: These figures are based on the tax returns of the companies as of 31 December 2022. In some cases, figures are not reported for each individual branch, but only for the relevant group of companies. These values are subsequently broken down on a case-by-case basis. Moreover, tax reports may be updated following a longer period of time. Therefore, the figures provided are intended to provide general guidance only.

Note on standard land values: The map provides information on standard land values for use in production/logistics. The relevant values were converted (i.e. standardised) to a plot size of 1,000 square metres or a value-related floor-area ratio of 1.0, respectively. Both the lowest and the highest standard land value in the building block are provided. The map aims to serve as a reference and is not suited for determining the actual value. At BORIS.HH you can view an interactive standard land value map of Hamburg. The website offers detailed information on standard land values in Hamburg and lets you convert the standard land value to account for individual property characteristics. All values displayed refer to the reference date of 1 January 2025.

Note on hazardous operations: Locations of establishments pursuant to §3 para. 5a of the German Federal Immission Control Act (BimSchG) in the jurisdiction of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg. Further metadata / publication / created on 30 September 2014.

Sources: Standard land values: Geoportal Hamburg / hazardous operations: Geoportal Hamburg / key figures: business register of the Northern Germany Statistical Office / definition of “undertaking”.