THE Port of Hamburg had a solid container throughput of 7.7 million TEU in 2023, despite facing economic challenges.

Container throughput was 7.7 million TEU, down 6.9 per cent. In the first half of 2023, container throughput fell by as much as 11.7 per cent compared to the same time the previous year, according to London's Port Technology.

The terminals at the Port of Hamburg handled a total of 114.3 million tonnes of cargo last year, 4.7 per cent down over the previous year.

According to the port, traffic in the US has risen steadily in recent years. In 2023, the Port of Hamburg handled 653,000 TEU with what has now become its second-largest trading partner. This is an increase of 8 per cent over 2022 levels.

Throughput with India also increased favourable with 191,000 TEU in direct traffic alone, 5.6 per cent more containers, were handled with the world's most populated country in the previous year.

As a result, India reportedly became the seventh most significant commercial partner for the Port of Hamburg. China continues to top the list, with 2.2 million TEU handled in 2023.

Axel Mattern, CEO of Port of Hamburg Marketing, said: "When we look at the development of our throughput figures, we are on the same level as our Northern European competitors and are holding our own well compared to other ports.

"The decline is primarily due to the difficult geopolitical and economic situation that we all are facing."