Seaborne cargo throughput reflects the total volume handled at the quay-side terminals of the Port of Hamburg. In line with the ESPO standard (ESPO = European Sea Ports Organisation), all cargo loaded or discharged in maritime transport is recorded. Overall throughput is composed of the two main handling segments: bulk cargo and general cargo.

As a universal port, the Port of Hamburg offers its customers a wide range of highly efficient cargo handling solutions. The past year was shaped, on the one hand, by the restructuring of shipping alliances and the resulting reorganisation of liner service networks from early 2025. On the other hand, the customs policies introduced by the US administration from April onwards required established global trade structures and supply chains to be reassessed.

Despite these challenging market conditions, the Port of Hamburg demonstrated its resilience. By strengthening its liner service network — particularly in trade with high-growth markets such as India — the port was even able to gain market share.

In the full year 2025, a total of 114.6 million tonnes of seaborne cargo were handled at Germany’s largest universal port, representing an increase of 2.6% compared with the previous year.

Within the general cargo segment, terminals improved their annual throughput to 82.2 million tonnes, marking a 4.4% increase. Bulk cargo throughput, by contrast, saw a slight decline of 1.7% year-on-year, reflecting typical market fluctuations.