If you would like to enter the Germany trades world, knowing the different ports, their locations, port codes, and others will help.
In this article, we are going to explore ports in Germany for your international trade.
Let’s dive right in:
Busiest Ports in Germany
1. Port of Hamburg
- Port Location: On the Elbe River, Northern Germany, Hamburg
- Port Code: DEHAM
- Port Handling Capacity: Can handle about 9 million twenty-foot equivalent units or TEUs every year.
- Port Management: Managed by the Port of Hamburg Marketing GmbH and the Hamburg Hafen und Logistik AG (HHLA)
Being the largest port, you can find in Germany, it is also one of the busiest on the continent of Europe. The port was established in 1189. However, its current infrastructure was developed in the 19th century with graduation additions being made till now.
The Port of Hamburg is the main gateway for containerized cargo. It has a strong road, rail, an inland waterway connection. It is famous for handling large quantities of containers, chemicals, bulk goods, and automobiles. It stands as the main hub for logistics in Germany to other parts of the European continent.
2. Port of Bremen/Bremerhaven
- Port Location: On the Weser River, Northern Germany, Bremen and Bremerhaven
- Port Code: DEBRE
- Port Handling Capacity: Is able to handle 5.5 million TEUs each year with Bremerhaven famous for its automobile exportation.
- Port Management: Managed by Bremen Port Authority (Bremenports GmbH & Co. KG)
The Port of Bremerhaven stands as one of the leading ports where automobile importing and exporting is concerned. The port mainly handles bulk goods, general cargo, and container cargo. Also, it is well linked by rail and motorway to other parts of Europe as it serves as a logistics center. It was established in 1827 and has grown massively with major facility and infrastructural changes over the years.
3. Port of Wilhelmshaven
- Port Location: On the North Sea Coast in Lower Saxony, Northern Germany. Wilhelmshaven
- Port Code: DEWHS
- Port Handling Capacity: Can handle over 10 million tons of cargo each year.
- Port Management: Managed by the Wilhelmshaven Port Company (Wilhelmshaven Port Development and Marketing GmbH)
The Port of Wilhelmshaven represents the only deep-water port in Germany that is able to handle large container ships as well as bulk carriers. It has a major terminal for the trading and storage of crude oil and petroleum products. Since 1857, it has served as a naval port moving to become a major port for commercial shipments. The port is pivotal for bulk goods and container traffic like iron ore, coal, and more.
4. Port of Lübeck
- Port Location: On the Baltic Sea, Schleswig-Holstein, Lübeck
- Port Code: DELUE
- Port Handling Capacity: Can handle about 4 million tons of cargo every year.
- Port Management: Managed by LübeckerHafen-Gesellschaftmbh (LHG)
The Port of Lübeck since the 12th century has been a port that has helped in shipping in Germany. The modern port that is used today was established during the 19th century and represents the main pathway for trading between the Germans and the Scandinavians.
This is mostly for roll-on and roll-off or ro-ro cargo. One thing that makes this port stand out is its closeness in distance to all vital European transport lanes. It is a major port for general cargo, containerized goods, and forest products.
5. Port of Rostock
- Port Location: On the Baltic Sea, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Rostock
- Port Code: DERTK
- Port Handling Capacity: Is able to handle around 7 million tons of cargo yearly.
- Port Management: Managed by the Port of Rostock GmbH which is a subsidiary of the Rostock Port Authority.
The Port of Rostock is a main port for ro-ro traffic, mainly ferries to and from Scandinavia. The port handles different goods like containers, bulk cargo, and project cargo. Also, it is an important port for both freight and passenger transportation in the Baltic Sea region. This makes it a very needed port which keeps the import and export of German commodities stable.
6. Port of Duisburg (Inland port with sea access)
- Port Location: Along the Rhine River, North Rhine-Westphalia, Duisburg, Germany
- Port Code: DEDUI
- Port Handling Capacity: Handles about 20 million tons of cargo each year.
- Port Management: Managed by the Duisport GmbH or Duisburg Port Company
The Port of Duisburg is an inland port that has sea access. It was established in 1716 and has evolved as well as been developed over the years. Currently, it is the world’s largest inland port with access to sea.
It is connected by the Rhine River to Rotterdam as well as other main European Ports. This port is key for the handling of bulk goods, automotive cargo, and containers. Also, it is a major hub for combining river, road, and rail transport.
7. Port of Kiel
- Port Location: On the Baltic Sea Coast, in Schleswig-Holstein, Northern Germany
- Port Code: DEKIL
- Port Handling Capacity: Can handle averagely 6 million tons each year, including passenger traffic, bulk goods, and containerized cargo.
- Port Management: Managed by the Port of Kiel GmbH
Port Kiel is a solid Baltic Sea port that serves as the main gateway for ferry routes to Scandinavian countries as well as other parts of Northern Europe. One thing that makes the port stand out is its well developed and structured infrastructure that supports cruise and ferry operations. The port of Kiel is a major player in the tourist sector in the region and country at large. It has the finest container and industrial handling facilities. This makes it vital for trading to and from the Baltic region.
8. Port of Flensburg
- Port Location: On the Baltic Sea, near the Danish border in Schleswig-Holstein, Flensburg
- Port Code: DEFLF
- Port Handling Capacity: Can handles about 1 million tons yearly, including general cargo, ro-ro services, and bulk goods.
- Port Management: Managed by the Port of Flensburg GmbH
The Port of Flensburg is a major port where German and Scandinavian trading is concerned, ideally for ro-ro and general cargo transportation. The port specially deals in handling bulk goods, project cargo, and also maritime services.
So, it serves as the hub for regional and international ferry pathways or routes. The port is also pivotal where shipbuilding is concerned. It offers facilities for maintaining and repairing vessels. Due to how close it is to Denmark; it is a vital gateway for trading between Germany and Nordic countries.
9. Port of Bremerhaven
- Port Location: On the North Sea, in the state of Bremen, Bremerhaven, Germany
- Port Code: DEBRV
- Port Handling Capacity: Handles averagely 5 million TEUs each year of mainly containers.
- Port Management: Managed by the Port of Bremen GmbH
This port is one of the busiest in Germany. It handles mainly containers, general cargo, and automobile transport. One thing that makes the Port of Bremerhaven famous is its automotive terminal.
It handles a wide volume of vehicles where importing and exporting are concerned, which is mostly between Europe, the United States, and Asia. The port serves as the international transshipment point that links Germany to main trading routes worldwide. It also prides in its unique facilities available for bulk goods, project cargo, and liquids.
Less Busy Ports in Germany
· Port of Emden
The Port of Emden is famous for handling automobile exporting and importing. It also handles general and bulk cargo.
· Port of Cuxhaven
The Port of Cuxhaven specializes mainly in the handling of passenger ferries, bulk goods, and containers. It is a main gateway for the North Sea traffic.
· Port of Stade
The Port of Stade is mainly for bulk cargo shipments, like chemicals and agricultural products.
· Port of Wismar
The Port of Wismar is mainly for handling general cargo, ideally heavy and bulk life shipments. It is a port that is pivotal for trading with Scandinavian countries.
· Port of Sassnitz
The Port of Sassnitz is used primarily for ferry traffic. This is mostly between Germany and Sweden. It as well handles general cargo not forgetting some bulk shipments.
· Port of Greifswald
The Port of Greifswald is used majorly for some cargo transportation and passenger ferries which is indeed great.
· Port of Eckernförde
This port is quite small. However, it has some unique ferry connections as well as has facilities to handle cargo, working ideally for the locality or local economy.
Location: Eckernförde, Schleswig-Holstein, Baltic Sea
-Importance: A smaller port with ferry connections and some cargo handling, particularly for the regional economy.
· Port of Puttgarden
The Port of Puttgarden is a ferry port mainly. However, it has traffic between Germany and Denmark. Also, it handles mostly containerized cargo.
· Port of St. Peter-Ording
The port is a small one used mainly for local tourism and transportation, such as leisure craft and ferries. It serves as a hub to promoting tourism in the region.
FAQs
1. How many Sea Ports are in Germany?
Germany has approximately 50 sea and inland ports. These include those ports along the Baltic and North Seas.
2. What is the Largest Port in Germany?
The Port of Hamburg.
3. Which are the main German Port Cities?
The main German port cities are Hamburg, Bremen/Bremerhaven, Lübeck, Wilhelmshaven, and Rostock.
Conclusion
The ports in Germany are a major source for trade globally. Due to its major ports having the right facilities, trading via them is smooth and less complex. If you are involved in trading internationally, knowing the details in this article will help you greatly.
More resources:
Shipping from China to Germany – Source: BANSAR
Germany Freight Forwarders – Source: BANSAR
Shipping from Germany to USA – Source: BANSAR
