Eastern harbor edge / Wilhelmsburg industrial and business area

Hotspot for sustainable industrial and commercial projects

The eastern harbor edge Wilhelmsburg industrial and business area is characterised by its strategic location and diverse development opportunities. In particular, the IW³ project focussing on deep geothermal energy demonstrates the site's potential for the heat transition in Hamburg. By utilising geothermal energy, a sustainable heat supply for commercial enterprises and private households can be realised. The proximity to the port and the good connection to the Hamburg port railway offer logistical advantages and help companies to organise their supply chains more efficiently. Forward-looking projects such as the Mach² logistics property contribute to the sustainable and innovative utilisation of increasingly scarce space. With the centre for engineering services and larger potential areas that can be developed in the medium term, Wilhelmsburg offers an attractive base for companies from a wide range of sectors.

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

Total size of the location: t.b.a.

Companies located here: t.b.a.

Gainfully employed individuals: t.b.a.

Total revenue of all companiess: t.b.a.

Locational benefits - strong location on the eastern edge of Wilhelmsburg harbour

Visualisation of the future boiler house of the geothermal plant in Hamburg Wilhelmsburg — © Visualisierung: Hamburger Energiewerke

Important projects for the heating transition

As part of the IW³ project, Hamburg Energie Geothermie GmbH is using natural geothermal energy in the Wilhelmsburg harbour area to supply heat in a climate-friendly way. The geothermal plant, which has two boreholes, extracts thermal water at a temperature of 48 °C from a depth of over 1,300 metres. With a planned heat output of around 6 megawatts, over 4,700 households can be supplied with heat. This capacity is to be increased to over 6,000 households through the use of a multi-stage heat pump system. This geothermal project is a key building block for the heating transition in Hamburg by integrating renewable energies more closely into the city's heating supply system. Its implementation will make a decisive contribution to the decarbonisation of the city and its metropolitan region and support Hamburg's climate targets.

Harbour railway tracks in the Wilhelmsburg district — © Manufacturing Cities/Kai Michael Dietrich

Logistics advantages: Proximity to the harbour and harbour railway

The proximity to the port of Hamburg offers logistical advantages that are complemented by the infrastructure of the Hamburg port railway. Since its opening in 1866, the port railway has effectively linked ship and rail and today plays a decisive role in freight transport in the port and the European hinterland. With a route network of almost 300 km and around 762 points, 155 km of which are electrified, the Hamburg port railway is Europe's largest railway port. Every day, around 210 goods trains move more than 5,400 wagons across this extensive network. This infrastructure supports over 160 rail transport companies and transported an impressive 46.2 million tonnes of goods in 2024. As an integral part of the "intelligent port", the port railway works with the transPORT rail traffic management system, which promotes data exchange and efficiency in rail transport and transparently maps train journeys.

Mach² commercial and logistics property on Reiherstieg Hauptdeich in Wilhelmsburg — © Manufacturing Cities/Kai Michael Dietrich

Mach² logistics property from
Four Parx

Mach² in Hamburg is the first two-storey logistics property in Germany that allows 45-tonne lorries to operate on the upper floor. This project maximises the use of space through brownfield development and reduces the carbon footprint by 40% compared to the BREEAM benchmark, embodying environmental awareness paired with efficiency. In addition, infrastructure such as e-charging stations and direct public transport access support sustainable mobility. The property, which is geared towards sectors such as aviation, online retail, IT and food, has achieved full occupancy, with renowned tenants such as SatAir, Picnic, JYSK and Bechtle. Mach²'s successful approach has been recognised with the B24 Brownfield Award and the Logix Award.

Building of the "Ingenieurwerk"in the Wilhelmsburg industrial and commercial estate — © Manufacturing Cities/Kai Michael Dietrich

Centre for consulting and planning engineering services

Ingenieurwerk has been active in the industrial and commercial neighbourhood of Wilhelmsburg since 2000 and brings together various engineering services in one place in order to exploit interdisciplinary synergies. In this vital neighbourhood, experts from engineering, architecture, natural sciences, IT and management combine their knowledge to offer comprehensive solutions for different projects. Each partner is independent, but they work together efficiently on larger projects so that customers benefit from a single point of contact. One example of a partner is UMCO GmbH, which offers compliance solutions for chemicals worldwide. With 80 employees in Hamburg and Cologne, the company covers services such as chemicals management and hazardous goods management and offers training courses through its own academy.

Visualisation of the Elbinselquartier in Wilhelmsburg — © Visualisierung: IBA Hamburg/moka Studios

Development of new mixed neighbourhoods

The three new IBA neighbourhoods Spreehafenviertel, Elbinselquartier and Wilhelmsburger Rathausviertel are being developed in Wilhelmsburg, offering both attractive housing and new commercial space. The 53-hectare Elbinselquartier is centrally located and aims to create a harmonious neighbourhood in which housing, commerce, allotments, open spaces and educational and care facilities coexist. The neighbourhood aims to unite the interests of all stakeholders and create an environment in which residents, neighbours, tradespeople and visitors feel comfortable. Different typologies and architectures, a mix of rental and owner-occupied flats as well as building cooperatives contribute to a diverse design and residents. By developing along the canals, the three areas create a landscape axis that is characterised by special open space qualities.

Impressions from the eastern edge of the harbour / Wilhelmsburg

The premises of Nordische Oelwerke border directly on the water's edge. — © Manufacturing Cities/Kai Michael Dietrich

Commercial complex on the eastern edge of Wilhelmsburg harbour — © Manufacturing Cities/Kai Michael Dietrich

Nordische Oelwerke factory premises — © Manufacturing Cities/Kai Michael Dietrich

The food supplier Picnic has opened its Hamburg central warehouse in Wilhelmsburg — © Manufacturing Cities/Kai Michael Dietrich

Industrial site with loading gates and large lorries — © Manufacturing Cities/Kai Michael Dietrich

Site with a large number of containers on a leafy street — © Manufacturing Cities/Kai Michael Dietrich

The Johs Martens forwarding company offers logistics solutions for mineral oil, gas and chemical products. — © Manufacturing Cities/Kai Michael Dietrich

Various commercial companies on the eastern edge of the harbour — © Manufacturing Cities/Kai Michael Dietrich

Various companies from the automotive sector have their headquarters at Pollhornbogen in Wilhelmsburg — © Manufacturing Cities/Kai Michael Dietrich

Knaack Krane has a truck wash and washing facility for cleaning lorries and large vehicles — © Manufacturing Cities/Kai Michael Dietrich

Street with stacked conatiners on one side and green spaces on the other. — © Manufacturing Cities/Kai Michael Dietrich

Thematic maps of the eastern edge of the harbour / Wilhelmsburg

Infographic on traffic links in the eastern edge of the harbour Wilhelmsburg industrial and commercial location

Connectivity

The eastern edge of the harbour / Wilhelmsburg has excellent transport connections. The location is easily accessible by car via the B75, A1 and A255, and Hamburg city centre and the port are in the immediate vicinity. In addition, S-Bahn lines S3 and S31 as well as several bus routes ensure fast connections to local public transport. The location therefore offers ideal conditions for companies and employees alike.

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 eastern edge of the harbour / Wilhelmsburg industrial and commercial area, the standard land value is between approx. € 380 and € 460 per square metre.

Infographic on hazardous operations in the the eastern harbor edge / Wilhelmsburg 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 fewer of these hazardous incident companies at the eastern edge of the harbour / Wilhelmsburg site.

Eastern edge of the harbour / Wilhelmsburg: selected company profiles

Räder Vogel plant 2 in the industrial area on the eastern edge of the harbour — © Manufacturing Cities/Kai Michael Dietrich

Räder-Vogel Räder- und Rollenfabrik GmbH & Co

Räder-Vogel operates one of three plants on the Elbe island of Wilhelmsburg in the Östlicher Hafenrand industrial estate in Hamburg. Plant 2 specialises in casting and post-treatment, making it an important link in the production chain. Since 2002, the plant has been producing up to 12,000 wheels and castors a day on an area of 10,000 m², ensuring a reliable supply for our customers. The production process begins in Plant 1 with the mechanical processing of the raw cores. The metal cores are then transported and cleaned in Plant 2, where they are thoroughly cleaned and coated with a special bonding agent that ensures a strong bond between the wheel core and the coating. Based on this, the coating is applied using a hot casting process. The final post-treatment takes place in the tempering room. Here, the end product is further processed, smoothed and tested under strictly controlled conditions to ensure consistently high quality and durability.

Mankiewicz production facility in the Wilhelmsburg district of Hamburg — © Manufacturing Cities/Kai Michael Dietrich

Mankiewicz Bros & Co GmbH & Co KG

Mankiewicz Gebr. & Co GmbH & Co KG operates an important production facility for paint systems in the Östlicher Hafenrand industrial estate in Hamburg. The company has been producing high-quality industrial coatings since 1895 and has developed into a leading global supplier active in the general industry, aviation and automotive sectors. With over 1,700 employees worldwide, Mankiewicz ensures that consumer and capital goods are protected, enhanced and equipped with additional functions in the long term thanks to its coating systems. The company's products are characterised by the highest quality and are closely tailored to market requirements. Mankiewicz combines tradition with innovation and offers customised solutions and efficient painting processes that are used at 17 locations worldwide. The Hamburg site is a central hub for the continuous development and production of these highly specialised paint systems.

Site of the logistics company Nordfrost GmbH on the eastern edge of the harbour — © Manufacturing Cities/Kai Michael Dietrich

NORDFROST GmbH & Co. KG

NORDFROST GmbH & Co KG has an important logistics facility in the Östlicher Hafenrand industrial and commercial area in Hamburg. Since it was founded in 1975 by Horst Bartels, the company has developed into a leading provider of frozen food logistics. With around 2,200 employees at 40 locations throughout Germany, NORDFROST offers comprehensive logistics solutions for the food industry and the retail trade. The range of services extends from transport and warehouse logistics to specialised port logistics, including project shipments and container logistics. These services are characterised by a customer-oriented corporate philosophy that focuses on down-to-earthness and a sense of responsibility towards natural resources. The location in Hamburg complements the efficient harbour locations, which are decisive for NORDFROST's comprehensive depth of service. With a management that aims for close cooperation and process optimisation, NORDFROST ensures that customers receive optimum service from a single source.

Production hall and premises of Kranvermeitung Knaack GmbH in Hamburg-Wilhelmsburg — © Manufacturing Cities/Kai Michael Dietrich

Knaack-Krane GmbH

Knaack-Krane offers a comprehensive range of crane hire and heavy-duty logistics services in the Östlicher Hafenrand industrial estate in Hamburg. The company supports projects in a wide range of sectors, including heavy industry, the port sector, ship assembly and wind power construction, and develops customised solutions for every application. With a modern fleet of cranes with lifting capacities from 30t to 750t, Knaack-Krane can reliably realise even the most demanding transport and lifting tasks. The company works according to ISO and SCC-certified standards in order to fulfil the highest quality, safety and environmental requirements. Whether in heavy-duty expedition, bridge construction or infrastructure, Knaack-Krane stands for high flexibility, precise planning and efficient realisation. Thanks to its Europe-wide operations, the company combines local expertise with international experience. Special emphasis is also placed on environmentally friendly working methods and operations at height, particularly in wind turbine construction, where safety and precision are top priorities.

Premises of Nordische Oelwerke with large oil tankers — © Manufacturing Cities/Kai Michael Dietrich

Nordische Oelwerke Walther Carroux GmbH & Co. KG

Nordische Oelwerke Walther Carroux GmbH & Co KG, based in the Östlicher Hafenrand industrial estate in Hamburg, specialises in the distillation of fatty acids and the production of glycerine. Since its foundation in 1921 by Emil Carroux, the company has developed from an importer of crude palm oil to an experienced manufacturer that extracts its products from plant-based raw materials such as sunflower seeds and soya beans. With almost a century of experience, the family-run company, now in its fourth generation under the management of Thomas Carroux, has long-standing trading relationships. The production processes in Wilhelmsburg place great emphasis on sustainability, utilising technological advances to maintain environmental responsibility. The purity and quality of the fatty acids and glycerine produced are continuously monitored in the in-house laboratory to ensure that all products are precisely matched to customer requirements.

Freudenberg Sealing Technologies

Freudenberg Sealing Technologies operates a major production facility specialising in sealing solutions in the Östlicher Hafenrand industrial estate in Hamburg. in 1997, Freudenberg took over the Merkel sealing company, which was struggling economically at the time, thereby securing around 400 jobs. Since then, Freudenberg has continuously invested and equipped the plant with modern machinery to manufacture seals for demanding applications. The plant is known for the production of special seals used in large-scale projects such as ship propulsion systems and tunnelling machines. These highly specialised products are not mass-produced, but are often tailored to specific customer requirements. The site in Wilhelmsburg benefits from the combination of local expertise and global presence thanks to its integration into the Freudenberg Group, which is active in 60 countries worldwide. This makes it possible to develop and offer innovative solutions for the automotive industry, renewable energies and electromobility.

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”.