1.93 million containers (TEU): the best annual result ever -
Important connection to South Germany and East Europe

Hamburg, 19 January 2011 - Last year, Hamburg's port railway achieved the best result ever in its 145 years of history: 40.1 million tonnes of goods were carried on its tracks in 2010. Not only did the railway hit a new record high in absolute volumes moved but at 1.93 million TEU container business, too, surpassed all previous records. Both handling rates exceeded those achieved in the exceptionally successful year of 2008. Already during the crisis and despite declining freight volumes, the port railway managed to seize rail freight market share from other North Range ports. In 2010, rail cargo handling rates rose more strongly than the port of Hamburg's overall handling rates. According to Jens Meier, managing director of the Hamburg Port Authority (HPA), "The port railway is the backbone of our port. We are now enjoying the fruits of our investments in rail tracks, switches and tech-nology, improving processes and introducing new control systems."

Ian Karan, Hamburg minister for economic and labour affairs: "Hamburg has strengthened its position as Europe‘s most important railway port. Apart from connecting eastern and southern European countries, the envi-ronmentally friendly port railway in particular links South Germany to Hamburg and contributes to a stronger German economy."

Leaving the crisis behind

The economic recovery in Germany could be felt in the port of Hamburg too and the port railway, for which 2010 was a record year in many aspects, benefited especially. Apart from container trade and total freight volumes moved all-time records were set in maintenance services and investments. Since 2008, the HPA has invested approximately Euro 125 million in railway facilities. "The port railway has mastered the crisis and in container transport it grew by more than 22 per cent compared with 2009. The total tonnage handled increased by 18 per cent. For the first time ever, it crossed the magic threshold of 40 million tonnes," said Jens Meier.

Today, the railway transports more than 30 per cent of the goods moved from and to the hinterland of the port of Hamburg to central and southern Germany, the Czech Republic, Poland and the Alpine region. As a big economic engine Germany's exportoriented industry more than any other major economic sector depends on well-functioning ports and hinterland connections. The rise in freight transported on the network of the port railway to the centres of the German export industry in the south of the country in 2010 was impressive. Railway transports between the port of Hamburg and the German federal states of Bavaria and Hesse rose the highest.

Economic indicator of national importance

The port of Hamburg, and along with it the port railway, are economic indicators of national significance. In the third quarter of 2010, around 12 per cent of the total tonnage carried through Germany by trains originated from or ended at the port of Hamburg. In container trade, the railway's national importance becomes even more evident. 34.5 per cent of all containers moved by rail in Germany were processed by Hamburg's port railway. Due to the liberalisation of the railway sector, rail as a mode of transport has gained market share. Currently, 83 train operators offer their services on the network of the Hamburg port railway.

The port railway at a glance

The port railway is a business division of the Hamburg Port Authority (HPA). Its network comprises roughly 300 kilometres of tracks and approximately 880 switches. Around 110 kilometres of the track network are electrified. Within the port of Hamburg the port railway tracks connect to more than 170 rail sidings of handling and logistics companies as well as port-operating businesses. About 200 freight trains with over 4,500 rail cars pass through the port of Hamburg every working day.

Hamburg Port Authority
Since 2005, the Hamburg Port Authority has been providing future-orientated port-management services offering one face to the customer. As an institution under public law, the HPA is in charge of efficient, resource-friendly and sustainable preparation and implementation of infrastructure projects in the port. The HPA is the contact point for all kinds of questions concerning waterside and landside infrastructure, the navigational safety of vessel traffic, port railway facilities, port property management and the economic conditions within the port area. The HPA ensures the provision of land as required, performs all sovereign duties and provides all kinds of port industry services. www.hamburg-port-authority.de

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