{"id":427136,"date":"2026-05-13T18:43:01","date_gmt":"2026-05-13T08:43:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.railfreight.com\/?p=71144"},"modified":"2026-05-13T18:43:01","modified_gmt":"2026-05-13T08:43:01","slug":"hhlas-rail-and-intermodal-drop-more-difficulties-in-germany-on-the-horizon","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?p=427136","title":{"rendered":"HHLA\u2019s rail and intermodal drop, more difficulties in Germany on the horizon"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Hamburg-based logistics giant HHLA has published performance figures for early 2026. Container handling declined significantly, and rail and intermodal followed similar downward trends. With the ongoing construction works in Germany, the Q2 outlook for rail operations still looks relatively bleak.<\/strong>
\n<\/span>Container handling at HHLA terminals, which include facilities in Hamburg, Muuga (Estonia), Trieste (Italy) and Odesa (Ukraine), decreased by 5.3% year-on-year to 1,462 thousand TEU. In Hamburg, the container terminal throughput volume was 1,374 thousand TEU, down 6.6% compared to the same period of 2025.<\/p>\n

The primary factor contributing to the decline was the harsh winter weather, which caused significant logistical problems across much of Europe. Moreover, HHLA observed a decline in overseas traffic volumes in North America and the Far East, especially China. Feeder traffic also decreased significantly year-on-year.<\/p>\n

In line with these negative developments, HHLA\u2019s intermodal segment saw a slight drop in volumes in early 2026. Container transport shrank by 1.5% to 489,000 TEU (compared to 496,000 TEU in early 2025).<\/p>\n

Rail transport declined by 1.1% to 424,000 TEU. In early 2025, this figure was 428,000 TEU. \u201cThis was largely due to decreased traffic with the North German and Adriatic seaports, as well as decreased transport volume in the German-speaking countries.\u201d Road transport, also impacted by the winter weather, declined by 4.5% to 65,000 TEU.<\/p>\n

\"HHLA's
HHLA’s Tollerort terminal in January 2026. Image: Shutterstock \u00a9 ThomBal<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Looking forward<\/h2>\n

As we are approaching summer, there fortunately won\u2019t be any more harsh winter weather to throw a spanner in the works of rail businesses. However, there are other factors that are complicating operations and will continue to do so for the time being, such as the infrastructure situation in Germany.<\/p>\n

HHLA\u2019s rail subsidiary METRANS provided an update on the construction works in the country. \u201cThe German rail infrastructure is overloaded, and the operational situation is extremely complicated\u201d, METRANS writes.<\/p>\n

The infrastructure of northern German ports often operates at full capacity, the rail operator explains. Moreover, there are persistent closures on the German-Czech and German-Polish borders.<\/p>\n

A big infrastructural mess<\/h2>\n

These circumstances have put METRANS, and presumably other rail operators too, in a vulnerable position. \u201cWe are in many respects solely dependent on instructions from DB InfraGO and port infrastructure managers, and our room for negotiation and planning is significantly limited.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trains are being held up, says METRANS, delays are accumulating and transit routes are not being communicated. As a result, the rotation of rolling stock is breaking down.<\/p>\n

There is no immediate prospect for improvements. The Berlin-Hamburg corridor closure has been extended to mid-June. What\u2019s more, on 15 May, key detour routes<\/a> around Hannover will also be closed due to track renovations.<\/p>\n

\u201cComplications such as speed restrictions or single-track sections must be expected. Some freight trains will continue to pass through this area and share capacity with heavy passenger traffic. Transit times will therefore be highly uncertain. Other connections will be rerouted via G\u00fcstow. Traffic to and from northern German ports will face another, even tougher challenge\u201d, concludes METRANS.<\/p>\n