With a capacity of 24,346 TEU, the MSC Loreto is currently considered the world's largest container ship – a floating giant belonging to the Geneva-based Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC). When such a behemoth docks in Hamburg, it's always an event. The quintessential transport box, the container, is causing quite a stir.
HHLA handled almost six million of these containers in 2024, and even more are expected in 2025. Closely linked to this success story is the Burchardkai Container Terminal, operated by the Hamburg port company HHLA, which is currently one of the most exciting "conversion projects" in Europe. Its modernization while maintaining operations, it is said, is akin to open-heart surgery.
The first "colorful boxes" arrived at the Port of Hamburg in 1968 and are now a defining feature of the cityscape. By 2024, the group had handled 180 million TEUs across the port, thanks in part to new technologies. Since its opening in 2002, the HHLA Container Terminal Altenwerder has been a prime example of automated port operations. Now, the Burchardkai terminal is continuing this success story.
Gesa Witte (su), a terminal developer, has her hands full, as she is involved in the world's largest "brownfield" project in the industry. Currently, 23 container cranes stand along the quays. To enable even faster loading and unloading of the world's largest ships, semi-automated processes and new, customized software are being tested.
HHLA has existed for 140 years, but the Port of Hamburg itself has been around for 836 years. This year, Germany's largest seaport is celebrating its anniversary again – from May 9th to 11th.
The full story from the HHLA magazine under «Container Evolution Hamburg»
