The Port of Hamburg is one of the most flexible and efficient
universal ports in Europe. Its modern cargo terminals can
handle every type of ship.
More than 320 berths, almost 40km of quays, over 200
container gantries and heavy lift cranes, many of them operated
by computer, cranes for grab and suction cargo, equipment for all
kinds of liquid cargo, RoRo ramps and passenger gangways —
these are just a few of the cargo handling facilities that make
Hamburg into an extremely efficient and versatile port.
In recent years, the rapid growth in container handling
determined the developments on the quays to a high degree.
However, Hamburg still is and remains a universal port, and bulk,
breakbulk and conventional general cargo still make up
important parts of its business.
 
HIGH-PERFORMANCE BULK CARGO TERMINALS
With a volume of around 42mt (million metric tonnes) per year,
bulk cargo accounts for a major part of the port’s business.
Hamburg’s bulk cargo terminals provide the right equipment to
handle any kind of bulk cargo, no matter whether it is loose,
suction, grab, or liquid cargo. There is plenty of open storage
space in the Port of Hamburg for coal, ore, construction
materials and other grab cargo. The channels along the quays
are deep enough for bulk carriers to be loaded or discharged
even at low tide. Intermodal transshipment between seagoing
ships and barges or between ships and railcars or trucks is
possible at all the terminals.
Covered handling and storage areas are also available. This is
especially important for moisture-sensitive cargo. With a silo
capacity for about 1mt of suction cargo like grain, oilseeds, and
animal feed, Hamburg is a major competitor in Europe. Seagoing
ships and barges can dock directly at the huge silos. Highperformance
stationary conveyors guarantee fast loading and
discharge. Along with petroleum companies and other
businesses that process liquid raw materials, there are a number
of highly specialized tank storage companies in Hamburg that
focus on handling and storing liquids like
concentrated fruit juices, palm oil, alcohol,
latex, or acids safely. They provide plenty
of tank storage capacity, which accords to
environmental regulations.
Hansaport is the specialist for iron
ore and coal in the Port of Hamburg and
also the bulk cargo terminal with the
highest handling volumes. Even the
biggest bulk carriers can be loaded or
discharged at the four berths
independently of the tides. The terminal
can discharge up to 100,000 metric
tonnes per day, guaranteeing quick
turnover even for huge bulk carriers.
Hansaport has its own rail station with
15 tracks to handle block trains.
Rhenus Midgard specializes in handling
construction materials, scrap, dangerous
cargo, agricultural products, paper, and
mineral products at its terminal in
Hamburg-Harburg. The company put a new rail-mounted,
double-boom, level luffing portal crane into operation at the
terminal in 2009. In addition, an open area of 10,000 square
metres was renovated for use in handling scrap and for new
operations. The Buss Group, one of the largest port and
logistics service providers in the Port of Hamburg, operates the
Buss Ross Terminal in the middle freeport, among others. The
Ross Terminal handles mostly scrap and waste products, as well
as excavated soil and sulphates.
 
Fertilizer
KTG Kali-Transport’s Kalikai terminal by contrast handles
primarily fertilizers such as potash and magnesium products.
Around 500 seagoing ships and barges berth at the 500-metre-long
quay every year. The terminal handles loose and bagged
bulk cargo in containers as well as breakbulk cargo. The terminal
is able to handle more than 4mt of fertilizer every year.
Hamburg has no fewer than three terminals that are
specialized in handling grain and other agricultural products:
ADM (formerly Neuhof Hafengesellschaft) facilities on the
Neuhöfer Canal are one of the highest-volume silo terminals in
Germany. Ships up to 280m long and with a capacity of up to
90,000 metric tonnes can berth there. Grain, oilseeds, and feeds
can be transshipped to all forms of transportation including
railways, trucks, and barges, and vegetable oils are also handled in
their tank farm. Another specialist for handling grain, oilseeds,
and feeds is Silo P. Kruse. This is the only agricultural products
terminal in Europe that can load and unload sea-going ships
simultaneously. Each of its terminal facilities has a capacity of up
to 20,000 metric tonnes in 24 hours. They can discharge up to
18,000 metric tonnes per day. G.T.H. Getreide Terminal
Hamburg has a capacity of around 255,000 metric tonnes and is
thus the company with the largest storage capacity for
agricultural products in the Port of Hamburg. Its activities
centre on transshipping, warehousing, and managing the
forwarding of grain, oilseeds, and green coffee.