Terminal operator aims to be climate neutral

Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG (HHLA), which operates three container terminals at the Port of Hamburg, is increasing its efforts to protect the environment by looking into new technologies to help it become climate neutral.

Plans include its Container Terminal Altenwerder (CTA), which became the first handling facility for containers in the world to be certified climate neutral by TÜV Nord in 2019. Operations at CTA are now primarily powered by green electricity. Terminal processes that still produce CO2 emissions today will be gradually electrified, or their transition to electrical power will be field-tested.

Angela Titzrath, chairwoman of HHLA’s executive board, said: “The self-imposed target to reduce CO2 emissions per handled container by at least 30 percent by 2020 was thus achieved ahead of time last year. We are now setting new targets. We’re working on halving our absolute CO2 emissions by 2030 compared to the figures from 2018. The aim is to make the entire HHLA Group climate neutral by 2040.”

Balanced Logistics

HHLA’s already successfully implemented sustainability strategy will be further implemented under the “Balanced Logistics” brand, said the company.

“We understand ‘Balanced Logistics’ as finding a balance between economic success, good working conditions, social responsibility and environmental and climate protection,” explained Ms Titzrath.

HHLA Pure

HHLA has also developed HHLA Pure, a product that aims to ensure climate neutral transport chains from the port into the European hinterland, making an important contribution to lowering transport-related CO2 emissions.

This product allows HHLA to combine the strength of Hamburg as the largest European rail port with the environmentally friendly rail transport offered by the intermodal company Metrans. The HHLA subsidiary uses energy efficient electric trains and lightweight flat wagons, which can transport more containers with the same train length.