Container Shipping on the Elbe with Hamburg Grew in 2019

The transport of containers by inland vessel to and from the Port of Hamburg is gaining momentum. Contrary to the nationwide result with a decrease of 4.1 percent, the Port of Hamburg recorded an increase of 13 percent in container transport by inland vessel in 2019, with 145,078 TEU.

(Hamburg, 09.04.2020) This figure does not include the increasing internal port transfers conducted by inland vessels in Hamburg. In 2019, there were more than 170,000 TEU. These container transports within the port replaced approximately 120,000 truck transfers and are a good example of successful traffic shifting in freight transport in the Hanseatic city.HVCC Also Manages Inland VesselsIn addition to the positive development of goods handling for the hinterland of the Port of Hamburg, the improved integration of inland shipping into port operations also played a role in this positive trend. The Hamburg Vessel Coordination Center (HVCC) is increasingly managing the port rotations of inland vessels to better coordinate them with terminal operations in Hamburg. The establishment of an inland vessel platform is opening up further opportunities for coordinated action among all port stakeholders. “Container transport by inland vessel plays an important role in the modal split of transport modes for the Port of Hamburg in seaport hinterland traffic and port transfers. The inland vessel is also of great importance for the transport of particularly heavy and bulky cargo as well as for all types of bulk goods. Changes in the cargo mix can be very well compensated by the inland vessel,” explains Ingo Egloff, Executive Board of Hafen Hamburg Marketing.Implementing the Elbe Maintenance ConceptThe very good water levels on the Upper Elbe at the beginning of 2020 demonstrated what the inland vessel is capable of when transporting large and heavy cargo. “Therefore, it is time for the Elbe maintenance concept, which was approved by the Bundestag in the last legislative period, to finally be implemented by the Federal Ministry of Transport,” demands Egloff. He already sees progress in the replacement of the Scharnebeck ship lift. “But we need both, Elbe side canal and implementation of measures on the Elbe.”
Photo: Elbeallianz ©HHM/Lengenfelder
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