Important Ports in Germany
Germany is a significant player in the global trade and maritime industry, with its major seaports playing a crucial role. Ports like Hamburg, Bremerhaven, and Wilhelmshaven rank among the busiest in Europe, handling a large volume of cargo, including containers, bulk goods, and vehicles. These ports are vital hubs for the transportation of goods between Europe, Asia, and North America. Additionally, major German sea ports offer essential infrastructure and services for the maritime industry, such as ship repair, maintenance, and supply. The efficiency and capacity of these ports directly influence global trade and the maritime industry, as they are critical for the seamless and timely transportation of goods worldwide.
Hamburg Port
Known as Germany’s “Gateway to the World,” Hamburg Port is the largest in Germany in terms of volume. In TEU (Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units), Hamburg is the third busiest port in Europe after Rotterdam and Antwerp and ranks 15th in the world. The port serves as a vital link between the Eastern and Central European regions, with approximately 25% of the hinterland transport activities occurring here.
Key Details:
- UNCTAD UN/LOCODE: DE HAM
- Berthing Capacity: 320
- Total Area: 7,250 hectares
- Container Traffic: 9.3 Million TEU
- Container Tonnage: 136.6 Million tons
- Major Export Goods: Aircraft, mineral oil products, industrial-purpose gold, chassis, engines
- Major Import Goods: Office and automatic data processing machines, vehicles, packages, pharmaceuticals, etc.
- Key Trading Partners: USA, France, Turkey, Netherlands, and Hungary
Bremen Port and Bremerhaven
Bremen and Bremerhaven trade ports are often referred to collectively as Bremen Ports or Bremish Ports. These ports rank among the largest in Germany. The Bremen Port, a significant industrial hub of Germany, is located on the Weser River with a coastline on the North Sea, approximately 70 kilometers inland. These ports are managed by Bremen Ports GmbH & Co. KG, a unique public-owned entity.
Key Details:
UN LOCODE: DEBRE
Container Traffic: 5.2 Million TEU
Container Tonnage: 69.695 Million tons
Major Imports: Cars, caravans, aircraft, coffee, engines
Major Exports: Cars, ships, boats, measuring and automatic control devices
Key Trading Partners: UK, China, Russia, Poland, Netherlands
Wilhelmshaven Port
Wilhelmshaven Port is the only deep-water port located between the Ems and Weser rivers, on the western side of the Jade Delta. Among German ports, it is of medium size. This port is shielded with a two-chamber sea lock, divided into a tide-independent inner harbor and an external deep-water port with extraordinary transshipment bridges. Wilhelmshaven port is equipped with the latest port infrastructure for container, refrigerated cargo, foodstuff, bulk cargo, project loads, and general cargo transshipment.
Key Details:
UN LOCODE: DEWVN
Container Traffic: 656,000 TEU
Container Weight: 350,000 tons
Major Export Goods: Oil products, LPG, liquid chemicals, scrap metals, and containerized cargo
Major Import Goods: Crude oil, evaporated coal, chemicals, fertilizers, perishable foodstuffs, timber, salt
Key Trading Partners: USA, China, France, UK, Netherlands
Duisburg Port
The Duisburg-Ruhrort docks are the largest river port in the world, stretching nearly 40 kilometers along the river. Located in Duisburg, West Germany, it is 20 kilometers north of Düsseldorf. The port is situated between the Ruhr Canal and the Rhine River (between the 774th and 781st kilometers). Duisburg-Ruhrort is the primary inland water transport port in Germany. Considering all public and private port facilities, it is also recognized as the world’s largest inland port and the largest in Europe. The area offers approximately 1.5 million square meters of covered storage space. The port of Duisburg-Ruhrort is central to the pan-European canal connecting Amsterdam, Hamburg, Emden, Antwerp, and Rotterdam ports.
Key Information:
- UN LOCODE: DE DUI
- Container Traffic: 4.1 million TEU
- Container Tonnage: 111.1 million tons
- Main Exports: German auto parts, wine, textiles, clothing, toys
- Main Imports: Coal, oil, chemicals, scrap, metal industry additives, construction materials
- Major Trade Partners: Italy, Austria, Poland, USA, UK, China
Rostock Port
Rostock Port is the fourth-largest in Germany and is quickly surpassing other Baltic Sea ports. Its success is due to its advantageous geographical location on both land and sea.
Key Information:
- UN LOCODE: DERSK
- Container Traffic: 28.8 million TEU
- Container Tonnage: 25.1 million tons
- Main Exports: Forest products, sugar, coal, ores, steel products, scrap
- Main Imports: Coal, construction materials, fertilizer, grain, metals
- Major Trade Partners: China, USA, Netherlands, Italy, UK
Emden Port
Located near the North Sea coast of East Frisia by the Ems River in northwestern Germany, Emden Port is the country’s third-largest. It is among Germany’s most significant and busiest high-tide inland ports. The port boasts one of the most extensive marine locks, open 24/7.
Key Information:
- INTERNATIONAL PORT CODE: DEEME
- Container Traffic: 13,100 TEU
- Container Tonnage: 26,836 tons
- Main Exports: Cars, forest products, pulp, lumber, grain, bulk goods for construction
- Main Imports: Crude oil, coal, metal, steel
- Major Trade Partners: USA, UK, China, Poland, Italy
Lübeck Port
Lübeck Port is the most isolated southwestern transport hub situated on the Baltic Sea coast. It serves as the main sound system between rapidly developing BSR countries and the traditional economic centers in central or western Europe. Thanks to the port’s border junction connections, tonnage can reach its destination in several practical ways. The three lanes of the A1 highway connect Lübeck with Europe’s essential economic centers. Its railway network offers excellent capabilities for cargo transport and mixed traffic.
Key Information:
- UN LOCODE: DELBEC
- Container Traffic: 117,000 TEU
- Container Tonnage: 1.4 million tons
- Main Imports: Paper, containers, cars, trucks, heavy loads
- Main Exports: Sugar, grains, fruits, cars, metals, steel
Kiel Port
Kiel Port is significant for passenger and cargo traffic, covering the route leading to bars at the eastern end of the Kiel Canal. Located inside the Kieler Fjord of the Baltic Sea, it’s one of the Baltic region’s most diverse ports. The port is particularly attractive in terms of population density and cargo transportation due to its geographical location, consistent depth for ships, and direct access to the national railway and road network.
Key Information:
- UN LOCODE: DEKEL
- Container Tonnage: 7.1 million tons
- Container Traffic: 20,000 TEU
- Major Imports: Construction materials, coal, oil products
- Major Exports: Metal, sugar, steel, cars, gold
- Major Trade Partners: Belgium, China, USA, UK, Switzerland
Frankfurt Port
Frankfurt Port in Germany is a medium-sized port. Because of its strategic locations and the captivating views of the Main River from the city setting, different coastal ports have transformed into new trendy areas over time.
Key Information:
- UN LOCODE: DEFRA
- Container Tonnage: 4.3 million tons
- Container Traffic: 64,794
- Main Imports: Packaged medicines, cars, vaccines, blood, etc.
- Main Exports: Chemical products, cars, machinery equipment
- Major Trade Partners: USA, UK, Italy, China, India, Poland, Netherlands
