23. Property, Plant and Equipment

The additions result largely from the expansion of the container terminals in Hamburg and the expansion of the METRANS Konténer Kft. terminal.

Disposals in the financial year under review mainly relate to the return of the Übersee-Zentrum to Hamburg Port Authority (HPA) and payments on account made by METRANS a.s. for locomotives, which were previously capitalised as plants under construction. The company has changed its plans with regard to these assets, which are now being acquired via operating leases.

Changes to the consolidated group relate solely to the METRANS Group subsidiaries which were included in the Consolidated Financial Statements for the first time in the 2016 financial year.

The negative effects of changes in exchange rates arose chiefly in connection with the devaluation of the Ukrainian currency.

The depreciation of land and buildings includes write-downs in the amount of € 1,125 thousand for a building at a container terminal in Hamburg which is no longer used. In the previous year, there were write-downs of € 2,981 thousand on land and buildings as well as on other plant, operating and office equipment.

Buildings, surfacing and movable non-current assets with a carrying amount of € 3,112 thousand (previous year: € 4,207 thousand) have been pledged as collateral in connection with loans taken up by the Group.

Regarding existing restrictions on the disposal and use of buildings in connection with the letting of the associated properties from the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg, see the explanatory remarks on the lease agreements in Note 45.

As of the balance sheet date, the Group had obligations of € 34,199 thousand (previous year: € 87,978 thousand) from purchase commitments attributable to investments in property, plant and equipment.