Gradual recovery in Hamburg
Throughput in the Port of Hamburg picked up in H1/2021: at 63.5 million t, it grew by 3.8% compared to the same period last year, but is still 8.5% below the level of H1/2019 (69.4 million t). Container handling in H1/2021 amounted to 4.3 million teu, a growth rate of 5.5%. 4.7 million teu were handled in 2019.
After a modest start in the first two months of 2021, March and the second quarter brought a distinct surge in container handling. Totalling 19.3 million t, the throughput of bulk goods remained on an upward curve by winning 3.3% over H1/2020.
“It has not yet been possible to fully recover from the throughput downturn caused by the repercussions of the pandemic in Hamburg and other ports,” explained Axel Mattern, joint CEO of Port of Hamburg Marketing - HHM, who nevertheless reported a "stable growth curve".
Intermodal container transport was thriving. At 1.4 million teu, volumes in the Port of Hamburg Railway network were11.3% higher in H1/2021 than in H1/2020. The first stage of the fairway adjustment on the Elbe also made a positive impact. (cd)