The economic relations between Germany and India are witnessing exponential growth, with imports and exports between the two countries seeing a notable increase in recent years. This growth alludes to the maritime and logistics sector of the two countries that are exploring collaboration and advancement in various realms, especially in port development and decarbonization, to name a few.
A key milestone in this exploration was a business delegation visit by the authorities of the Port City of Hamburg. The Port of Hamburg is one of the partners that form the Hamburg Representation Mumbai Office. The high-level delegation included Axel Mattern, CEO, Port of Hamburg Marketing; Jens Meier, CEO, Hamburg Port Authority; Volker Werner, Managing Director, Sales, HHLA; Felix Wenzel, Managing Partner, a.hartrodt; Lennart Kinau, Head of Strategy and Communication, Hamburg Port Authority; Inga Gurries, Head of Market development Asia, Port of Hamburg Marketing; Dr. Rolf Strittmatter, CEO, Hamburg Invest; and Amita Desai, Honorary Consul, Federal Republic of Germany, Hyderabad and the Hamburg Ambassador.
During the week of February 20th to 24th, 2024, the delegates had an introductory meeting with Ute Brockmann, Deputy Director of the Indo-German Chamber of Commerce (IGCC) to strengthen existing ties and strengthen collaborations. This meeting was followed by a visit to the RoRo Terminal in Mumbai, operated by M2M Ferries, where they engaged in discussions with Devika Saigal, Director of M2M Ferries. The purpose of these exchanges was to gain insights into the inland waterway connectivity surrounding the city of Mumbai.
The next visit was to the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority, Navi Mumbai. The visit took off with an informative showcase of the initiatives of JNPA by Unmesh Sharad Wagh, Deputy Chairman, JNPA. The informative session was followed by a visit to the DP World port terminal and an insightful interaction with Jibu Kurien Itty (CEO, DP World). Additionally, the delegates visited the Special-Economic Zone (SEZ) at the Port and exchanged insights on the scope of collaboration and development.
The day proceeded with a closed-door meeting of the delegates with Rajiv Jalota, Chairman, Mumbai Port Authority followed by the Port of Hamburg Evening Reception a.k.a. the Hafenabend held on 21st February 2024 in Mumbai, was a networking event over drinks and dinner. The evening hosted a cohort of guests from Hamburg and India in the bustling port city of Mumbai. The reception was organized by the Hamburg Representation Mumbai, in association with the Indo-German Chamber of Commerce (IGCC), and in collaboration with esteemed entities such as the Port of Hamburg Marketing, Hamburg Port Authority, including private players such as Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG (HHLA) and a. hartrodt GmbH & Co KG. The networking evening was truly distinguished by the steadfast support provided by the events team of the IGCC in orchestrating the event, coupled with the gracious hospitality extended to all the guests.
The event unfolded with a welcome address from Ms. Brockmann, Deputy Director General, IGCC; followed by keynote speeches from our guests from Hamburg that included Axel Mattern, CEO, Port of Hamburg Marketing; Jens Meier, CEO, Hamburg Port Authority; and Volker Werner, Managing Director, Sales, HHLA; who underscored the continued growth and collaboration between Hamburg and India. Additionally, Willem van der Schalk, Senior Advisor, a.Hartrodt; shared special insights on the firm's long-lasting ties with India and further emphasised the budding marine sectors between India and Hamburg.
The delegation next travelled to the city of Kandla, Gujrat for a visit to the mega port of Mundra. The private port is owned by the business conglomerate Adani. An interaction with Sujal Shah, CEO, Mundra Port was insightful as topics like cargo handling and understanding the nature of both ports were discussed. This was followed by a tour of the port and a visit Adani Port Special Economic Zone.
Upon the conclusion of the delegation visit, the members embraced the opportunity to engage with the vibrant atmosphere of Mumbai. As they bid farewell, enriched by their experiences, they departed with cherished memories encapsulating Mumbai's indomitable spirit.
The Port of Hamburg visit granted the authorities an opportunity for interaction, collaboration, and meaningful exchange between the myriad of guests from Hamburg and India. The delegation was organised and welcomed by our Chief Representative of the Hamburg Representation Mumbai office. A visit after almost 12 years has thus pioneered in deepening the bilateral ties between India and Germany for a promising collaborative future ahead.
The Hamburg Representation Mumbai is your first point of contact for all business, political and cultural exchange between India and Hamburg. Get in touch with Sameeha Pradeep Sule at info(at)hamburgmumbai.com. Visit the Hamburg India website (www.hamburgmumbai.com) for more updates about the interactions between India and the Hanseatic City!
