The Port of Hamburg, Germany's largest port and a crucial European sea-rail transportation hub, has witnessed continuously expanding trade volumes with China over the past five decades, said the port's marketing chief.
Hamburg Port has long served as a microcosm of China-EU economic cooperation. Now, about 30 percent of the port's cargo originate from and go to China, which makes the country the top trading partner of the port for many consecutive years, according to Axel Mattern, CEO of Hamburg Port Marketing.
"A significant portion of cargo handled at the Port of Hamburg -- accounting for 30 percent of its total volume -- either originates from or is destined for China. This makes Hamburg's connection with China and Chinese ports absolutely vital. We maintain extremely close exchanges with China, which has remained Hamburg Port's largest trading partner for many consecutive years," said Mattern.
Data from Hamburg Port Marketing shows the port handled 597,000 TEUs of China-bound containers in Q1 2025, an 11.3-percent year-on-year increase. In 2024, China accounted for 2.2 million TEUs, or about 30 percent of the port's total throughput.
Beyond growing volumes, China-Europe goods transiting Hamburg have diversified, including consumer products, chemicals, and machinery equipment.
"We have signed various cooperation memorandums with our Chinese partners. Hamburg Port maintains long-term, close collaborations with Shanghai Port and Shenzhen Port. Additionally, we operate large-scale offices in Shanghai, Ningbo, Tianjin, and Qingdao. Hamburg Port remains committed to fostering professional exchange, which is why we have established diverse partnerships, including technical exchanges, port operations, and crucially, in the fields of digitalization and green sustainability initiatives," said Mattern.
He emphasized Hamburg's role as Europe's gateway, where Chinese goods are distributed across the continent, reflecting tight economic bonds between China, Germany and the rest of Europe.
"We have been actively participating in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) for many years, with particular focus on the rail connections between China and the Port of Hamburg. Moreover, we view this as a partnership -- one that is open and collaborative," he said.
As a vital China-Europe trade nexus, Hamburg Port continues deepening bilateral exchanges in goods and personnel. The port authorities pledged to further enhance economic cooperation under the BRI framework.
Connection with China crucial for Port of Hamburg: marketing CEO
