The German port terminal operator and logistics company HHLA has published its final figures for 2025. Despite the geopolitical storm, HHLA has recorded positive growth. Notably, rail has outperformed the road in terms of intermodal volume growth.
HHLA hopes to continue the growth trend into 2026. “To do so, we are emphasising reliability, efficiency and sustainability and offering our clients an integrated range of services – from the seaport terminals to services deep into the European hinterland”, commented CEO Jeroen Eijsink. “With the progressive automation of our facilities, we are increasing our efficiency while simultaneously strengthening our sustainable processes in order to further boost HHLA’s performance.”
Let’s take a look at some of the numbers, starting with intermodal. Container transport grew by 10.9% to 1,982 TEU (1,787 thousand TEU in 2024). Out of that volume, rail transported 1,719 thousand TEU (+11.2%). Trucks moved 263,000 TEU, which was 8.7% more than in 2024. It stands to note here that HHLA is the parent company of rail freight operator METRANS.
HHLA explains that the rail growth was largely due to traffic with the North German seaports, as well as traffic in the German-speaking countries.
Rail boosts the financial picture
Rail has grown its share in HHLA total intermodal transport volumes. This has also led to a revenue growth faster than the volume growth: 12%. The total revenue amounted to 797 million euros, compared to 711.3 million euros in 2024.
The company’s intermodal operating result (EBIT) amounted to 103.7 million euros, up from 83.7 million euros. That is an increase of 23.9%. “The main reason for this strong EBIT growth was the increase in transport volumes. By contrast, operational difficulties due to construction work on major transport conduits and high-capacity utilisation at the North German seaports continued to weigh on the result”, says HHLA.
HHLA’s overall finances
In the big picture, the HHLA Group revenue rose by 9.9% to 1,756.2 million euros (1,598.3 million in 2024). The operating result (EBIT) grew by 19.5% to 160.5 million euros (2024: 134.3 million). Group profit after tax and minority interests amounted to 9.8 million euros, much less than 2024’s 32.5 million. This is related to tax-related one-off effects, says HHLA.
The revenue growth also follows higher container handling volumes at HHLA’s seaport terminals (+5.4% to 6,295 thousand TEU).
Overseas traffic declined for North America but grew for the Far East (especially China), South America, Africa, Australia, and the Middle East. Red Sea rerouting significantly increased freight volumes with other European seaports, particularly the UK, Belgium, Spain, and the Netherlands.
Feeder traffic volumes rose significantly, driven by strong growth in Finnish and Polish container throughput, as well as traffic with other German ports. However, freight volumes from Estonia, Latvia, and the UK shrank.
HHLA is expecting significant growth in container throughput and transport in 2026.
“Strong growth is expected for revenue as compared with 2025. […] At Group level, HHLA expects strong revenue growth and an operating result (EBIT) in the range of 175 million euros and 195 million euros.”