Port of Hamburg feels impact of global economic crisis
| Substantial decline in cargo handled at Port of Hamburg As a consequence of the global financial and economic crisis sea freight volumes handled at the Port of Hamburg in the first quarter 2009 were substantially below last year’s figures. With a total of 27.32 million tons the figure of the first quarter 2008 was failed by 21.7 per cent. As for importations the Hafen Hamburg Marketing e.V., the marketing department of the Port of Hamburg, reported a throughput volume of 15.75 million tons (minus 22.6 per cent). Exportations via Hamburg declined by 20.4 per cent to 11.57 million tons. Traditionally dominating in Hamburg, general cargo throughput amounted to 18.45 million tons (minus 26.2 per cent) and was stronger affected by the global economic recession than bulk cargo throughput, which amounted to 8.87 million tons (minus 10.3 per cent) in the first three months of the current year. Container throughput amounted to 1.86 million TEU in the first quarter. Thus was 24.3 per cent lower than in the first quarter of 2008. When publishing the throughput figures Claudia Roller, CEO of Hafen Hamburg Marketing, emphasised that the reporting period of three months was only a snapshot in time. According to her statement, more detailed analysis of the development of individual routes and commodities will not be available before the end of July, when the half-year figures will be issued. Quelle: Österreichische Verkehrszeitung |