In recent years, achieving a balance between profitability and sustainability has become essential for any business establishment. In line with its various efficient and future-proof policies, the Hamburg Senate along with the Port of Hamburg has formulated a ‘2040 Port Development Plan’. This plan lays down the strategic guidelines for Hamburg’s port policy until 2040 in two parts- Strategic Vision and Operational Implementation.
The emergence of global megatrends such as climate change, digitalisation and the transformation of work has presented new challenges for ports. Additionally, there are sector-specific developments such as changes in freight flows, growing vessel sizes and intensifying competition. To maintain its success and vital economic function, the Port of Hamburg will need to flexibly adapt to new circumstances and requirements. The Port Development Plan details how these adaptations will be achieved, underscoring Hamburg’s clear commitment to its maritime future and modernisation of the port. It sets out the guiding principles, key action areas and goals that the city and port must focus on in order to harness and expand the Port of Hamburg’s potential in the period up to 2040.
The Port Development Plan is guided by four principles:
- Value creation and quality
- Sustainability and climate action
- Innovation
- Customer focus and competitiveness
Senator for Economics and Innovation Dr Melanie Leonhard emphasised that “We will further strengthen the function of our port as a place of value creation and as a maritime logistics hub. The global environment requires major steps in terms of digitization, efficiency and climate neutrality. Our port is more important than ever: in the coming decades we will need large amounts of renewable energy instead of fossil fuels.”
The port has outlined its goals and development opportunities for the coming years, along with the measures to implement its port strategy, which are set out in seven action areas.
- Digitalisation
- Climate action, circular economy and environmental sustainability
- Transformation of work
- E-commerce as a new business segment
- Infrastructure maintenance and expansion
- Commercial development and land use strategy
- City and port
The Port of Hamburg plays a crucial role in the Hamburg and northern German economy. It is of fundamental importance for supporting the economic power of Germany and the supply security at national and European levels. To ensure its continued success and ability to fulfil these responsibilities, the course for the coming decades must be set today. This plan will involve many changes at the port. Its current strengths will be expanded, while global megatrends will be used as opportunities to transform the port. To that end, infrastructure and land will be used efficiently and developed in accordance with the required standards. The Hamburg Senate is committed to making the port fit future-ready, guided by the vision 2040 Port of Innovation: Quality, Sustainability, Value Creation.
