Port of Hamburg, lifeline for the second most populated city in Germany, plans for climate protection, circular economy

HAMBURG: Despite some carbon emitting large industries, Hamburg Port, spread over 7200 hectares, is the industrial lifeline of Hamburg, the second most populated city of Germany. The Port of Hamburg , which in 2023 witnessed imports of 65.6 million tons and exports of 48.6 million tons with total seaborn cargo handling of 114.3 million tons, has plans for navigating towards zero emission in years to come. The port is working to reduce its emissions including through onshore power supply (OPS) and has set goals to meet climate-neutral logistics, claims the Hamburg Port Authority , which manages affairs at the port.

Situated between the River Elbe and two of its tributaries, Alster and Bille, Hamburg Port is Germany’ largest seaport and Europe's third largest container port, behind the Port of Rotterdam in the Netherlands and Port of Antwerp-Bruges in Belgium. It is Europe's largest rail port. The emissions spread from the 22% area of the port out of 7200 hectares which is used for industrial purposes and has steel, cement industry, refinery and coal fired thermal plant. It handled container cargo of 7.7 million TEU (twenty-foot equivalent container) in the year 2023.

The OPS system provides CO2-neutral electricity to cruise ships and container vessels at berth. In 2023, the OPS system saved 640 tons of CO2, which is equivalent to the emissions of around 270,000 liters of petrol. The port is working to use green fuels to become climate neutral. “Hamburg Port Authority (HPA) monitors its emissions annually and publishes the data in its sustainability report”, Hamburg Port CEO Axel Mattern tells TOI. He says “some carbon emissions are reported from the port, but it is on the way towards net zero in times to come and there are no complaints from the residents of Hamburg of any impact of emission from port operations. As per 2040 port development plans there are goals of added value and quality, sustainability and climate protection with climate protection, circular economy and environment”. The port is also producing wind energy.

“The port of Hamburg is the lifeline of the industrial activity in the city state which plays an important role in Germany’ economy. Apart from being the hub of industrial activity, the port attracts tourists in large numbers, who evince keen interest to visit and take a ferry trip”, says Matthias Beer, Hamburg Marketing project manager media relations, economy and innovations.

Manal Engrany from digital media and communication at Hamburg Marketing, says the port of Hamburg due to its multifarious business activity and innovations attracts lot of media attention from across Europe.