Climate friendly logistic chains

The reduction of transport-related CO₂ emissions is a major global challenge as further growth in transport volumes is forecast. This is often associated with a rise in CO₂ emissions as fossil fuels continue to be the main source of energy for the global movement of goods. Of these emissions, a comparatively low 2.7 % is attributable to seaborne transport, which accounts for over 90 % of the global trade in goods. As a result of their enormous capacity of up to 23,000 standard containers, seagoing vessels offer the best carbon footprint per tonne of goods transported. Rail transport is considered the most environmentally advantageous mode of transport on land. HHLA’s business model of linking the two most environmentally advantageous modes of transport, ships and trains, to create climate-friendly logistics chains is its most important contribution towards sustainability and climate and environmental protection. This involves linking the Northern European and Adriatic ports with Central and Eastern Europe via a highly efficient intermodal network. The linkage of ocean-going vessels with feeders, inland waterway ships, barges and rail requires nothing less than the organisation of ideal multimodal transport chains. These transport chains save energy and infrastructure while causing comparatively little noise and fewer accidents. Hamburg’s location deep inland is a further advantage, as the river Elbe is an environmentally friendly transport route.

HHLA also integrates other stakeholders into its creation of climate-friendly logistics chains. As the central, neutral and industry-wide coordination point for mega-ship, feeder and inland waterway vessel traffic in the Port of Hamburg, the Hamburg Vessel Coordination Center (HVCC) offers terminals and shipping companies operational coordination services to optimise the emissions of arriving and departing ships.

With its HHLA Pure product, HHLA offers its customers certified, climate-neutral container transport and container handling for all Hamburg container terminals and most routes in the METRANS network.