Harburg seaport industrial and commercial area

A dynamic hub with future potential

The Harburg seaport industrial and commercial area is an essential part of the Port of Hamburg and offers excellent logistical conditions for businesses. Numerous companies from the fields of recycling and circular economy, building materials trade and the food industry can benefit from the available space potential and the continued relevance of the location. The dynamic development of Harburg's inland port, supported by the Fraunhofer Centre for Maritime Logistics and Services, highlights the attractiveness of this major handling location in Germany.

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

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

Key figures

Total size of the location: 379 ha

Companies located here: 22

Gainfully employed individuals: 1,219

Total revenue of all companies: € 519,599.000

Locational benefits of the Harburg seaport

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

An integral part of the Port of Hamburg

The Harburg seaport is an integral part of 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, ensuring seamless links between ship and rail. This connection enables the efficient transport of large quantities of goods to the European hinterland and helps ensure eco-friendly logistics solutions by reducing dependence on road transport. DB Cargo Full Load Solutions is another key factor for rail freight handling in the Harburg seaport as it coordinates 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 while offering flexible, 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 continues to strengthen the Port of Hamburg's competitiveness.

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

Land potential through remediation

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 trading centre. The clearing and preparation of former industrial and port 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 ideal 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, ensuring 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 helping secure the economic and ecological future of the Hamburg port region at large.

Cranes used for recycling processing at the Harburg seaport — © Manufacturing Cities/Kai Michael Dietrich

A central location for 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: Cargill, Hamburger Leistungsfutter and S&A Silo

The Harburg seaport is an important location for companies from 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 here. The company supplies feed that is characterised by both quality and cost-effectiveness. The company 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 ensures 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 lorry at the Harburg seaport — © Manufacturing Cities/Kai Michael Dietrich

Building trade: Thomas Beton, Holcim and Heidelberg Materials

The Port of Harburg is home to important players from the building materials trade, whose products play a central role at numerous construction sites in the Hamburg region. As such, they are making 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 specialises in 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, thus contributing to the realisation of construction projects of all kinds. Through close ties with local trade businesses and construction companies, these players strengthen the region's economic power, while also promoting innovative and sustainable building construction.

View of the seaport, with modern new building in the background — © Manufacturing Cities/Kai Michael Dietrich

Dynamic development in the Harburg inland port

The Harburg inland port has developed into a dynamic centre for technology companies and research institutions that focus on maritime issues. The Hamburg Innovation Port (HIP) plays a key role in this transformation process. 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 facilitates the creation of an active local startup community. 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 reducing CO₂ emissions globally. This dynamic development in Harburg's inland port demonstrates the succesful collaboration between research and industry and emphasises the location's relevance for maritime innovations.

Impressions from the Harburg seaport

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 the Harburg seaport

Infographic on traffic links in the Harburg seaport industrial and commercial area

Connectivity

The Harburg seaport industrial and commercial area features 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's 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 area

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 the district of 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 one third of the total budget being channelled into corresponding measures each year. These include improving water treatment and technical emission monitoring in order to reduce waste and save energy. These investments not only strengthen environmental protection, but also add to 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-end products, while its sister company handles sales.

Site of the former coal-fired power plant in the district of Wilhelmsburg — © 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. Featuring a 100 MW electrolysis facility, it will to produce around 10,000 tonnes of green hydrogen from renewable energies every year from 2027. A 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 to drive forward the energy transition in Hamburg. The project is thus setting 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 at the 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 individuals 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

At its site at 2. Hafenstrasse 4, TSR Deutschland GmbH operates one of the most modern scrap recycling facilities within its group of companies. Over 30,000 tonnes of scrap are processed here every month and delivered to steelworks in Germany and abroad. 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 in the Harburg district — © Manufacturing Cities/Kai Michael Dietrich

Cargill Germany GmbH

In the 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. Originally established in 1896 and acquired by Cargill in 1998, the refinery 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, eco-friendly projects such as the Hamburg Clean-up Day. Moreover, the company participates in campaigns for the World Food Day, which once again emphasises the company's sense of community.

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

Hobum Oleochemicals GmbH

HOBUM Oleochemicals GmbH has been active in the Harburg district since 1896 and is now in its fourth generation as a family business. In keeping with the company's tagline "Natural. Innovative.", HOBUM combines an appreciation of nature with an independent corporate culture. Sustainability is a key element here, with HOBUM leading the way in sustainable chemistry by utilising plant-based and organic 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 are aimed at making 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 2024. 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”.