Port of Hamburg: Cargo throughput figures for the first half of 2026 at a glance

The Port of Hamburg looks back on a challenging first half of 2026. With a total throughput of 56.1 million tonnes, Germany’s largest seaport recorded a 3.1 per cent decline compared with the same period last year. Having largely offset the weather-related losses from January by the end of the first quarter, this result was characterised by the ongoing terminal modernisation process and a decline in imports of petroleum products due to the war in Iran. 

Container throughput at 4.0 million TEU in the first half of 2026

In the first two quarters of 2026, a total of 4.0 million TEU were handled at the Port of Hamburg. This represented an increase of 3.8 per cent in TEU and 4.0 per cent in tonnes compared with the same period last year. Ongoing modernisation measures by HHLA, which will enable more efficient handling in future, had led to reduced terminal capacity in the past quarter.

Trade increased with Singapore (+13.1 per cent), Finland (+24.7 per cent), India (+7.2 per cent) and Morocco (+4.7 per cent). Overall, however, the market environment remains challenging. The decline in cargo handling with the US is particularly marked (-13.5%), but negative trends in container handling were also recorded with China and the UK in the first half of 2026.

Bulk cargo throughput volumes below previous year’s level due to the war in Iran

In the bulk cargo segment, cargo throughput totalled 15.9 million tonnes, around 1.1 per cent below the figure for the same period last year. Whilst throughput of liquid bulk cargo fell significantly by 14.0 per cent, that of dry bulk cargo grew by 4.2 per cent. The pressure on global energy markets caused by the war in Iran has led to lower petroleum imports and a decline in biodiesel throughput since April. This has been countered by significant growth in ore imports and grain exports.

Conventional general cargo throughput is declining due to weak exports of steel products

The handling of conventional general cargo is subject to significant fluctuations given the high value of the cargo and a comparatively small number of handling operations. In the first half of 2026, with a total volume of 535 thousand tonnes, a significant decline of 5.0 per cent was recorded, primarily due to lower exports of steel products; however, this decline was less pronounced than at the end of the first quarter.

Note to editorial offices

In future, the publication of statistics and figures on cargo handling at the Port of Hamburg will be carried out centrally by the Hamburg Port Authority (HPA).

A comprehensive overview of developments in the maritime economy and the Port of Hamburg is provided by the Port of Hamburg’s key figures at the annual ‘State of the Port’ press conference, which regularly takes place in late September/early October. This year, it will take place on 30 September 2026. An invitation will follow shortly.