Development and innovation

The changing requirements of customers, employees and other stakeholders mean that even well-established business models need to be continuously updated. With this in mind, HHLA continues to work on improving its performance in order to remain competitive in the fast-changing logistics environment. HHLA only engages to a very limited extent in research and development in the narrower sense of the term. Instead, it focuses on rapidly integrating proven technologies and solutions that have been tried-and-tested on the market into existing processes and continuing to develop them. To do this, HHLA draws on its partnerships with technical universities, institutes, industry partners and government agencies, as well as start-up companies, in order to plan, manage and develop selected (joint) projects.

The focus is on the automation and digitalisation of logistics processes and the organisational and operational development of HHLA’s core business with the strategic objective of making them “ready to take on the world of the future”. Selected new growth areas along the logistics chain are also reviewed. Corporate and sustainability strategy

Efficiency programme at the Hamburg container terminals

As part of its corporate strategy, HHLA is committed to a transformation process aimed at strengthening the company’s future viability and creative power over the long term. In order to implement this, HHLA launched a comprehensive efficiency programme at the container terminals in Hamburg in 2021 that will last at least five years. This programme aims to make it easier over the medium term to establish volume leadership and to optimise the capacity utilisation of existing structures in the Port of Hamburg while improving the company’s price position through cost synergies. Boosting efficiency and performance will strengthen HHLA’s market and competitive position over the medium term and secure the future of this site and employment over the long term. Operational efficiency, one of the key customer requirements, forms the basis for customer satisfaction and loyalty. It therefore plays a major role in ensuring the lasting economic success of the company.

The focus is on the centralisation and digitalisation of planning, administration and management tasks, the extensive automation of the terminals, and the strictly KPI-based management of service processes that are optimised on an end-to-end basis.

Adjustment of the organisational structure

A new organisational structure aims to make the end-to-end process-optimising management of handling operations more rigorous in the future. The far-reaching, cross-terminal standardisation of processes, terminals and systems while realigning management roles and enhancing employee skills will create the basis for a faster-learning and permanently developing organisation.

Cross-terminal staff deployment planning at the Hamburg container terminals will form the basis for enabling the increasing flexibility and planning security required for processing vessels that are continually growing in size. New shift models are to be made digitally operational by means of a modern workforce management system. The basis for this is a social and change collective agreement concluded between HHLA and the trade union ver.di in late January 2025.

Automation of facilities

The automation of facilities and process steps not only lowers handling costs but also increases process reliability and occupational health and safety. Examples of this include automation projects such as the introduction of automated guided vehicles (AGVs) at Container Terminal Burchardkai (CTB) for the horizontal transportation of containers and automatic truck handling for more efficient truck processing.

By switching to the new yard crane system, we are not only able to make much more efficient use of space, but also to boost the productivity of the container terminal. Furthermore, electrified yard cranes are another investment in the sustainable future of HHLA because the use of electricity from renewable sources reduces carbon emissions. The project was funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

Expansion of digitalisation for process optimisation

HHLA’s digitalisation measures aim to pool process-relevant information and control variables and make them available on shared digital platforms in order to increase process speed and performance, thus making an important contribution towards boosting competitiveness. Furthermore, the digitalisation initiatives serve to create and simplify interfaces with the company’s customers and facilitate the optimisation of handling quality.

Digitalisation measures are identified and implemented using participatory methods and aligned with the Group’s value creation objectives. The core areas for digitalisation opportunities are regularly analysed, with the potential added value quantified. This gives rise to the priority with which measures are to be implemented.

Tapping new growth fields

The HHLA Next innovation unit established in 2021 aims to develop and test selected new business models along the logistics chain, particularly in the areas of digital logistics processes, automation and sustainable solutions. Development occurs both internally and in partnerships or via shareholdings. Some examples include:

• HHLA Sky, which is developing a scalable end-to-end drone system for industrial use that will be used for inspection flights of HHLA's terminals, for example. The company holds the relevant certifications, such as ISO 9001.

• heyport is a digital platform for planning ship calls, networking the terminals and other players in the port environment and streamlining coordination processes. The platform has been in operation since 2024.

• passify digitalises and automates truck processing at the terminals via an app and software solution and is already being used at HHLA’s terminals and by its first external users.

Other development projects and funding projects

HHLA is also involved in various funding projects involving the development of innovative technologies and logistics solutions. In addition to more efficient logistics chains and the optimised networking of production and logistics, the innovations and new port technologies aim to provide carbon-neutral logistics solutions.