Notes on the non-financial report

Report framework

HHLA reports on the HHLA Group and HHLA AG in the form of a combined separate non-financial report (hereinafter “non-financial report”), the contents of which are embedded in the Sustainability Report. The non-financial report serves to fulfil the statutory requirements arising for HHLA in connection with the Act to Strengthen Companies’ Non-Financial Disclosure in their Management Reports and Group Management Reports (known as the CSR Directive Implementation Act for short, hereinafter CSR-RUG).

The following sections are compulsory parts of the non-financial report which are relevant for audit purposes:

• Sustainability strategy
• Sustainability organisation and dialogue
• Principles and reporting standards / information about the non-financial report
• Materiality analysis
• Ecology: area optimisation
• Ecology: climate protection and energy efficiency
• Society: working world / staffing levels
• Society: working world / staff development
• Society: health and occupational safety
• Governance: combating bribery and corruption

The compulsory sections of the non-financial report are also labelled as “Part of the non-financial report” in the online Annual Report. A summary of all content relevant to the non-financial report is also available as a PDF document from the download centre of the online Annual Report: report.hhla.de/non-financial-report

The reporting period is the 2020 financial year (1 January to 31 December 2020). The data presented generally refers to this period or the facts and figures at the end of the reporting period. If information refers to a different period of time, this is explicitly stated. The report is published once a year. The last Sustainability Report was published on 25 March 2020 as part of the Annual Report. Unless otherwise stated, the key figures and information in this report concern the entire group of consolidated companies.

Application of frameworks

HHLA’s non-financial reporting is based on the content requirements of the GRI Standards. 

For the purposes of non-financial reporting, HHLA follows the content requirements of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). In the description of the concepts required by the HGB, the GRI standard “GRI 101: Basics” was taken into account for the materiality analysis. The GRI standard "GRI 103: Management Approach" applies to the following parts of the report:

• Ecology: climate protection and energy efficiency
• Society: working world / staffing levels
• Society: working world / staff development
• Society: health and occupational safety
• Governance: combating bribery and corruption

These parts of the report are compared in the GRI Content Index. report.hhla.de/gri

Determining the content of the non-financial report

HHLA regularly carries out a materiality analysis to determine the most important sustainability topics. This was conducted by means of an international online survey of stakeholders in December 2018. The results of this survey were used to determine the key issues for sustainability reporting in 2019. It includes all topics identified as material. Materiality analysis

For the purpose of preparing the non-financial report in compliance with CSR-RUG, the material fields of activity identified in accordance with GRI were aligned with the requirements of the German Commercial Code (HGB). The table below reconciles the five reportable minimum aspects with the fields of activity which are material for HHLA.

As a port and transport logistics company, HHLA acts as a service provider within the transport chains of its clients. HHLA’s own supply chains are limited to procuring capital and consumer goods (e.g. locomotives and port handling equipment), which largely originate from countries within Europe. Purchasing and materials management

Business model in accordance with CSR-RUG

Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG is a leading European port and transport logistics company. It operates container terminals in the ports of Hamburg, Tallinn (Muuga) and Odessa. The Intermodal companies of HHLA provide efficient transport systems and have their own terminals in the hinterland of the ports. The Logistics segment comprises an extensive array of port and consultancy services. Group overview / business activities

Reportable risks in accordance with CSR-RUG

HHLA has a comprehensive risk management system and an internal control system. Risk and opportunity report / risk and opportunity management

After applying the net method to identify reportable risks in accordance with CSR-RUG, HHLA is not aware of any reportable non-financial risks that are highly likely to have serious negative consequences for the reportable aspects now or in the future.

Connections with the figures stated in the annual and consolidated financial statements

No material connections with the amounts stated in the separate and consolidated financial statements required for comprehension were identified.

External audit of the non-financial report

This non-financial report was the subject of a limited assurance engagement according to ISAE 3000 (Revised) by the independent auditing firm PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), which issued an unqualified opinion. Auditor’s report

References

References to details not contained in the combined management report serve to provide further information and do not form part of the non-financial report.