The import of coal via Germany’s Port of Hamburg totals 2.82mt (million tonnes) in the first half year of 2011 and remained 12.7% above the previous year’s result.
The handling of coal and coke increased in the first half of 2011 in the Port of Hamburg. That was one of the main reasons why dry bulk cargo handling in total reached 14.7mt on the import side. That volume was up by 3.3% on the first half of 2010. The coal is intended for the large iron and steelworks e.g. in Salzgitter and Eisenhu¨ttenstadt but also for energy production in German coal power stations.
Most of the coal imports to Hamburg in 2010 came from the United States, Russia, Australia and Poland. Of particular note, imports from Poland and Russia increased last year. The throughput of coal reached a total of 5.2mt in 2010, which represented an increase of 12.1%.
Hansaport Hafenbetriebsgellschaft mbH is Germany’s largest terminal for handling dry bulk cargo. At these facilities, the specialist for iron ore and coal can also handle the largest bulk carriers making full use of the depth of water. Four gantry cranes each taking a hook load of 38 tonnes with a discharging capability of up to 100,000 tonnes per day guarantee fast unloading for the ocean-going ships. Computer- controlled facilities together with the most modern weighing technology ensure high precision when loading railcars and barges. In total a loading terminal with 15 tracks handles the block train services. The terminal has 350,000m2 of open storage area with four berths.