Hamburg Port eyes growth as EU–India FTA boosts trade ties
India remains a key trading partner for the Port of Hamburg, with direct container throughput rising 21 per cent between 2020 and 2024.
Hamburg’s port and maritime industry has intensified engagement with Indian stakeholders during an official delegation visit led by the Senate of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg, positioning the European Union–India Free Trade Agreement as a catalyst for expanding bilateral trade and logistics cooperation.
The delegation visited Chennai, Mumbai and New Delhi, where discussions with the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways and Invest India focused on strengthening maritime collaboration and diversifying trade relationships. Hamburg officials emphasised India’s growing importance as a trading partner and the need to deepen institutional dialogue and commercial ties.
The delegation was led by Senator for Economic Affairs, Labour and Innovation Dr Melanie Leonhard and included Jens Meier, CEO of Hamburg Port Authority and President of the International Association of Ports and Harbours; Hendrik Meyn, CEO of Port of Hamburg Marketing; and senior maritime industry representatives.
Talks in Mumbai with the Mumbai Port Authority, the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority, the Indian Ports Association and the regional representation of the International Association of Ports and Harbours centred on climate-neutral port development. Hamburg shared operational experience from its shore power infrastructure projects as part of efforts to reduce emissions from vessels at berth.
At the “Ports in Conversation – Hamburg meets Mumbai” event, industry stakeholders examined capacity planning, resilience and sustainability requirements for future ports. Presentations and a panel discussion addressed maritime infrastructure strategy, port area transformation and cruise terminal development.
India remains a key trading partner for the Port of Hamburg, with direct container throughput rising 21 per cent between 2020 and 2024. Growth continued in 2025, with India ranking sixth among Hamburg’s partner countries in seaborne container traffic.
“The Port of Hamburg recorded a new volume record of 290,000 TEU in direct trade with India in 2025. This represents impressive growth of nearly 50 per cent compared to the previous year and clearly demonstrates the dynamic development of trade with the subcontinent. The delegation visit to India is a further building block intended to generate additional momentum for cargo flows, investments, and logistics partnerships,” said Hendrik Meyn, CEO of Port of Hamburg Marketing.
The Port of Hamburg maintains twelve liner connections with India, comprising six container services, three RoRo services and three conventional general cargo services capable of handling heavy lift cargo. Direct links connect Hamburg with Nhava Sheva, Mundra, Mumbai, Chennai, Ennore and Hazira, supporting trade flows between Europe and the Indian subcontinent.
