Senate Presents Port Development Plan

The Hamburg Senate has endorsed a new port development plan. This lays down strategic guidelines for the port policy of the coming years, defines the availability of land for port development, and outlines strategic orientation for their future utilization. Dr. Melanie Leonhard, Senator of Economics and Innovation: “Hamburg is and will remain Germany’s largest seaport.

This is of fundamental importance for the economic strength of Germany as an exporting economy and for supply chain security at national and European level. Going forward, we shall continue to operate a large, efficient universal seaport that serves these aims. Cargo handling is not an end in itself and container numbers may be an indicator, but are not the only relevant factor. Unlike other ports, Hamburg is itself a significant market and industrial base. Goods on arrival are not only transhipped, but also consumed or further processed.“
 
The Port Development Plan cites global trends, local operating conditions, and both social and economic developments. To remain competitive, the port needs to adapt continuously to these. The Port Development Plan accordingly defines guidelines for the required transformation processes (Part 1) and cites concrete areas for action, goals and measures (Part 2). Along with many individuals, such stakeholders in the port as companies, trade associations and chambers have been comprehensively integrated several times in the drafting process.
 
The port will harness such global mega-trends as digitalization, climate protection, the circular economy, the transformation of work, and e-commerce, to extend its position. Customer orientation, quality and climate protection are crucial leitmotivs for the development of the port. Hamburg will rely on its existing strengths, yet primarily on its great diversity. This not only opens up numerous development prospects for the port, at the same time making it adaptable and resilient in face of economic fluctuations.

The Port of Hamburg should continue in future to be notable for a variegated range of services, from cargo handling, via its broad industrial base and efficient logistics, to cruise shipping. Going forward, the port development plan presents a strategic land utilization regime providing the basis for facilitating a mix of functions in future. 

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