In 2022, international crises impacted the Port of Hamburg’s seaborne cargo throughput. Hamburg terminals handled 119.9 million tons, or 6.8 percent less than in the previous year. With growth of 11.2 percent to 1.4 million tons, the trend for conventional general cargo was positive.
Yet handling of general cargo was 5.8 percent down at 83.7 million tons. At 36.2 million tons, throughput of bulk cargoes in the port was 8.9 percent lower.
“The war in Ukraine plus the related sanctions against Russia, along with worldwide supply chain problems caused by the corona pandemic, impacted Port of Hamburg throughput during the year. This was compounded by labour disputes in the port at the beginning of the second half of the year and very high inflation in the course of the autumn, which caused consumer spending to fall to a low point,” explained Axel Mattern, Port of Hamburg Marketing’s CEO.
Lower volumes of bulk cargo are both directly and indirectly attributable to stiffer sanctions against Russia. Falls occurred in both suction cargo - down 6.0 percent at 6.0 million tons and grab cargo - 6.3 percent lower at 20.2 million tons - as well as liquid cargo - down 15.2 percent at 10.0 million tons.
Container throughput maintains position vis-à-vis North Range ports
A total of 8.3 million TEU - Twenty-foot Equivalent Units - crossed quay walls in the Port of Hamburg last year, or 5.1 percent fewer than in the previous year. A quarterly comparison reveals a positive trend in the first half. Down by 12.3 percent, throughput fell steeply in the fourth quarter, however. “With Christmas coming, in the final quarter we should normally see a rise in throughput totals. That failed to happen last year. The main reasons were high energy costs and inventories in industry,” explained Mattern. At 4.2 million, seaborne container imports were consequently 6.1 percent lower. For comparison, 4.1 million TEU were exported, a 4.1 percent fall on the previous year.
China remains No.1 trading partner by a wide margin
The 2022 list of our Top Ten partner countries produces a few pleasant surprises. At 294,000 TEU, throughput with Poland was up by almost 25 percent, putting the country in fourth place. Throughput trends with Finland were similarly positive, a 22.3 percent gain to 213,000 TEU putting the country into sixth place. There was a further positive signal from Canada, with throughput up by 6.6 percent to at least 196,000 TEU and advancing the country from twelfth into ninth place.
Prospects for 2023 uncertain
“We hope the global economy will again recover. That will aid and boost throughput for the Port of Hamburg,” concluded HHM’s CEO Axel Mattern.
For more information:
Port of Hamburg
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