The upward trend in the container segment was driven in particular by traffic with China (+6.5%), Malaysia (+84.3%) and India (+49.2%).

The Port of Hamburg can look back on a positive year in 2025. With a total throughput of 114.6 million tonnes, Germany's largest seaport recorded a year-on-year increase of 2.6 percent. The significant upturn in the container segment was a key factor in this development.

Significant growth in container throughput – 8.3 million TEU in 2025

A total of 8.3 million TEU were handled at the Port of Hamburg in 2025, which is equivalent to growth of 7.3 percent. Container throughput according to tonnage rose by 4.6 percent. Each quarter was significantly higher than the same quarter in the previous year: Q1: +6.3% | Q2: +12.4% | Q3: +6.7% | Q4: +3.9%

Strong contribution from China, India and Southeast Asia – decline in US traffic

The upward trend in the container segment was driven in particular by traffic with China (+6.5%), Malaysia (+84.3%) and India (+49.2%). The Northern Europe trade lane (Finland, Denmark, Norway, Sweden) – an important contributor to transshipment transport – also showed a positive trend and recorded growth of 21.2 percent. Container throughput with the USA developed in the opposite direction. Among other factors, sweeping US tariffs led to a significant decline of 25.6 percent in 2025.

Bulk cargo throughput below previous year's level – downturn in grain

At 32.4 million tonnes, throughput in the bulk goods segment experienced a year-on-year decline of 1.7 percent. While throughput of liquid bulk rose slightly by 0.7 percent, the figures for dry bulk fell by 2.7 percent. Grain throughput dropped by 45.8 percent due to lower exports. Throughput of fertilisers (-5.6%) and ores (-4.3%) also experienced a downturn. In contrast, there was a significant increase in the throughput of building materials (+19.5%), other dry goods (+17.1%) and chemicals (+16.3%). The quarterly trend is indicative of a volatile year: Q1: +0.4% | Q2: -6.6% | Q3: +4.1% | Q4: -4.6%

Going forward, the HPA will use quarterly reports to standardise the publication of statistics and results on cargo throughput at the Port of Hamburg.

The persons responsible for the Port of Hamburg provide a comprehensive overview of developments at the Port of Hamburg during the annual State of the Port press conference, which is always held at the end of September/beginning of October. It is scheduled this year for week 40.

Assessment of the throughput results

Friedrich Stuhrmann, Chief Commercial Officer at HPA: “We can look back on a successful year in 2025 at the Port of Hamburg. As Germany's largest seaport, we were able to continue our positive development and record noticeable growth momentum, especially in the container segment. The continuous increase across all quarters underscores the location’s strong competitiveness and the vigorous demand in international goods traffic."

Promote Hamburg's economic relationships with the subcontinent

Axel Mattern, Chief Executive Officer, Port of Hamburg Marketing: “The positive throughput result is clearly indicative of the Port of Hamburg's competitiveness and the attractiveness of the services offered here. We feel particularly positive about the almost 50 percent increase in container throughput with India, which has emerged from the free trade agreement now signed between the EU and India. The timing of this week's trip to India by a business and port delegation led by Senator Leonhard could hardly have been better and will continue to promote Hamburg's economic relationships with the subcontinent.”

About : The Port of Hamburg

The Port of Hamburg, founded in 1189, is Germany's largest seaport and a major European logistics hub located on the Elbe River, 110 kilometers from the North Sea. Known as the "Gateway to the World," it ranks as Europe's third-busiest port by TEU throughput. It serves as a vital, multi-purpose, and highly automated hub for container, bulk, and liquid cargo

Related :The Port of Hamburg continues on its growth path

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