AT 5.8 million TEU container throughput, the Port of Hamburg remained much the same year on year in the first nine months of 2024, reported the American Journal of Transportation.

"As Europe's largest rail port, we attach great importance to the expansion of rail transport. Container transport in this segment rose by 2.7 per cent," said Axel Mattern, director of the Port of Hamburg Marketing (HHM).

Container transport by rail in seaport-hinterland transport grew by 2.7 per cent in the first nine months of this year, reaching two million TEU. Total tonnage reached 35.1 million tonnes, representing a year-on-year growth of 1.4 per cent.

"These figures underscore the high performance and environmental benefits of rail transport. Despite poor weather conditions, technical challenges and workforce shortages, rail remains on the path to success," Mr Mattern said.

But a weak German economy, the war in Ukraine and Houthi rocket attacks in the Red Sea have combined to make matters worse.

Total seaborne cargo throughput fell by three per cent and stood at 84 million tonnes in the period from January to September 2024.

Varying status of container throughput at 5.1 million TEU, loaded container throughput grew 0.2 per cent year on year.

By contrast, throughput of empties slumped 4.6 per cent to 722,000 TEU. Overall container throughput was 5.8 million TEU (-0.4 per cent). Container throughput by tonnes - 58.2 million or -0.1 per cent - therefore reached almost the same level as in the previous year.

A number of western ports were used as transshipment hubs for Asia-Mediterranean volumes due to the rerouting of vessels around the Cape of Good Hope.

Hamburg did not benefit from this positive effect in container throughput.The conventional general cargo segment again offered a silver lining. With its considerable potential for value-added, this segment grew by 3.7 per cent to 904,000 tonnes.

Throughput of bulk cargo at the Port of Hamburg experienced a slight recovery over the course of the year. It stood at 24.9 million tonnes (-9.3 per cent) after the first nine months.

For suction cargo or agribulk, with a throughput of 4.8 million tonnes (-4.1 per cent), the export of animal feed stood out positively with one million tonnes and an increase of 7.8 per cent. Imports of oilseeds also improved by 2.8 per cent to 2.3 million tonnes.

Liquid cargo throughput dropped by 15.6 per cent to 6.6 million tonnes, despite a 34.6 per cent surge in petroleum product exports, which reached 1.3 million tonnes.

Stable ranking of trade partnersAccounting for throughput of 1.6 million TEU, China has remained the strongest partner country in the period from January to September 2024. Trade with the United States is growing as well.