Port of Hamburg reports upswing in container throughput

20 August 2025

Strong growth in the first half of 2025 thanks to Far East trade - more large container ships

Container throughput in the Port of Hamburg rose 9.3 per cent to 4.2 million standard containers (TEU) in the first half of 2025, a press release said Monday (August 18, 2025). This allowed the port to regain a share of the market over two major western ports despite the ongoing subdued economic situation and geopolitical tension. New liner services should boost Hamburg's international sea freight transport while transhipment traffic also grew significantly.

More containers, less general cargo

"We are delighted that the Port of Hamburg has benefited from new liner services and the restructuring of the shipping companies. Compared to competing ports, Hamburg is setting an extremely positive example and gaining market share," said Axel Mattern, CEO, Port of Hamburg Marketing. Seaborne cargo throughput in the Port of Hamburg rose by 3.6 per cent over 2024 thanks mainly to increased container throughput (+9.3 per cent). Imports grew by 11.6 per cent and exports by 6.9 per cent. However, handling of conventional general cargo, grabable goods and suction cargo dropped.

Percentage and volumes of seaborne cargo and container throughput from January to June 2025 — Seaborne cargo rises to 57.8 million tons (January to June 2025)

Strong trade with Asia and Baltic Sea region

Growth in container handling was driven by trade with the Far East and Baltic Sea regions. The former increased by around 11 per cent to 1.8 million TEU, while the Baltic Sea grew by around 21 per cent to 734,000 TEU. In Asia, Malaysia (+93.2 per cent to 169,000 TEU) benefited from changes in transhipment routes, while India (+41.6 per cent to 137,000 TEU) and China (+10.5 per cent to 1.2 million TEU) proved strong growth markets for throughput in the Port of Hamburg.

More large container ships in port

In the first half of 2025, 0.7 per cent more ships with capacity for container cargo called in the Port of Hamburg while the number of calls by large container ships with capacity for more than 10,000 TEU rose sharply across all size classes (+51.6 per cent to 285). Calls by ship units with capacities exceeding 24,000 TEU grew significantly over the first half of 2024 (+29.6 per cent to 127). New liner services to the Mediterranean, the Middle East, the Far East and India contributed to the rise.
ja/kk/pb