The handling of conventional general cargo (including RoRo) is a specialised area with correspondingly high added value in the port. Multipurpose terminals are predominantly used in this segment. The Port of Hamburg boasts no fewer than six of these terminals, operated by BLG Logistics Group, C. Steinweg, HHLA Frucht- und Kühlzentrum, Rhenus Midgard, Unikai, and Wallmann & Co.

These goods are typically too large, too heavy, or both, or otherwise unsuitable for handling in containers. In recent years, the tropical fruit sector has seen a shift from transportation in reefer ships with conventional handling to the use of reefer containers in Hamburg. As a result, corresponding volumes have moved to temperature-controlled containers, thereby being excluded from these statistics.

The handling of conventional general cargo in 2024 significantly surpassed the previous year. The growth rate reached 1.3 million tonnes, an increase of 8.7 per cent.