Hamburg to develop “Hinterland Gateway”

Commissioned by Hamburg Port Authority (HPA), this survey is intended to identify suitable areas to which specific parts of container logistics (storage of empty containers, for example) can be transferred. Working processes that are not necessarily tied to the port could move to “satellite locations”. However, such locations would have to fit smoothly into logistics processes in the port. Annual throughput in the Port of Hamburg currently totals approx. 10 million TEU. For 2015 HPA forecasts a potential market of over 18 million TEU. Other studies are assuming even stronger growth. “If this growth is to be achieved, innovative logistic solutions will be essential that involve the hinterland more closely than hitherto,” explains Hartmut Beyer, managing director of Uniconsult. The project as a whole will develop locations models with different carriers and examine their economic feasibility. In addition, similar schemes in other ports such as Rotterdam or Antwerp are to be investigated. The project should be completed by the beginning of 2009.