Hamburg State Councillor Dr Rolf Bösinger: “Hamburg is a ‘gate to the world’ for Russia”

Despite sanctions and economic slump, Hamburg continues playing a significant role in Russian foreign trade. Hamburg State Councillor Dr Rolf Bösinger tells IAA PortNews about the development of Hamburg port and shipbuilding industry.

- Mr Bösinger, what is the Port of Hamburg throughput today?

- Once again we had to see how volatile port business can be. We had excellent results in 2014 but, unfortunately, cargo turnover declined in 2015.  Considerable decline in the sector of container transportation – down 9.3% to 8.8 mln TEUs – had an impact on total throughput in 2015 – 137.8 mln t, down 5.4%, year-on-year.

The decline of throughput should be particularly attributed to the fall of global trade and tougher competition between major European continent ports of the North Sea. The Port of Hamburg throughput is mostly influenced by reduced turnover of goods with its key trade partners – China and the Russian Federation.

Yet, actual performance is not to cause concern. Such market fluctuations are not unusual. The port is permanently changing to meet new challenges. Besides, with its versatility the Port of Hamburg still enjoys the leadership in transshipment of bulk cargo owing to coal and ore imports as well as grain exports. It increased by 5.8%. Another advantage of the port of Hamburg is in perfectly developed links with hinterland. It should be emphasized that container transportation by railways showed a new record high result in 2015 – 2.3 mln TEUs (+2.8%). With this result the Port of Hamburg is No 1 in Europe as the largest rail port.
 
- What are the most important projects on the Port of Hamburg development?

- To ensure that the Port of Hamburg retains its strong position among the competitors for a long time and expands the range of its services, we undertake large scale investments into maintenance and development of the port. They cover the development of road and railway infrastructure as well as sea routes. Expansion of two large bridges, Kattwyk and Rethebrücke, is underway today. In the coming years an axis highway is to be built to link the eastern and the western parts of the port across the Elbe river. Besides, we are carrying out the replanning of a so called Mid-port, a vast territory in the central part of the Port of Hamburg. It is to see complete modernization and reconstruction in the nearest years. Of course, we continue implementing the project on deepening the Elbe river. It will make the Port of Hamburg easier to call for large container ships. We hope that the Federal Administrative Court of Germany in Leipzig will complete its proceedings this year and will give the green light for the project implementation.

- What are the prospects of using LNG at the port?

- The Senate of Hamburg is striving to find solutions for reducing hazardous emissions from ships staying in the port as it is located in the vicinity of residential areas. Protection of Hamburg citizens from hazardous emissions is a priority. Among the measures, there is a master plan for supplying alternative energy to cruise ships. The plan provides for creation of a special infrastructure intended for supplying power to cruise ships with the use of an LNG hybrid barge. This barge operates as a floating power station producing electricity by using a tank with 15 tonnes of liquefied gas and supplies power to a cruise ship. The hybrid barge does not emit any sulphur oxides or sootflakes. Liquefied gas is delivered from Rotterdam. The barge was put into operation in autumn 2015. The Port of Hamburg is the world’s first port able to supply power to cruise liners from an LNG hybrid barge. 

LNG is to become available in Hamburg before 2020. The plan on launching a Small-Scale-LNG Terminal is under development today. The passenger ferry MS Helgoland, owned by Cassen Eils, operating between Cuxhaven and the island of Helgoland from autumn 2015 is the first LNG fuelled vessel in Hamburg.

Special feasibility study has been carried out for the development of LNG infrastructure at the Port of Hamburg. Besides, the environment has been created and tested for the use of LNG. 

The Hamburg Port Authority grants a discount on port fees to seagoing vessels powered by liquefied natural gas. Such a discount is also to be granted to river going vessels driven by LNG.

- Which shipbuilding and ship repair projects in Hamburg would you emphasize?

- In March 2016, Hamburg based shipyard Blohm + Voss completed and launched the third in the series of four 125-type frigates for German Navy. The name-giving ceremony for the Sachsen-Anhalt was attended by our Senator Frank Horch. The 125-type frigate also known as Baden-Wuerttemberg  is a new class of frigates for the German Navy allowing for a much longer stay in the area of mission as it is fitted with more powerful guns and special equipment. It also can support ground missions. 

Moreover, Hamburg based shipyard Pella Sietas GmbH co-financed by the city of Hamburg could embark on construction of a transshipment center for loading of heavy sections weighing over 450 t. Pella Sietas which manufactures these sections for other German shipyards under sub-contract agreements has exhausted its crane capacity. 

- What is the cargo turnover between Hamburg and Russia and what is the share of Russia in the throughput of the Port of Hamburg?

- Hamburg is the key port for transshipment of overseas cargo bound for the Baltic Sea and the Russian Federation is one of the prime markets for Hamburg. A significant part of Russia’s foreign trade cargo goes via Hamburg. In this respect Hamburg is a ‘gate to the world’ for Russia. Amid global economic and political situation Hamburg saw a considerable decline of container turnover with the Russian Federation in 2015 – by 34.4%, or by 230,000 TEUs. It was painful for the Port of Hamburg. Nevertheless, Russia is still one of the most important trade partners for Hamburg, it is the third in the list of top ten trade partners. Therefore, Hamburg is focused on enhancement and perspective development of trade relations with Russia under long-term principle. Yet, easing of tension in political relationship between the EU and Russia is required for that. I strongly believe that both sides would benefit. 

Representative office of Hafen Hamburg Marketing has been in Saint-Petersburg since 2003. Its activities are focused on the development and strengthening of contacts between the Port of Hamburg and Russian clients, institutes, organizations and authorities. Strong port marketing is focused on maintaining good relations between Hamburg and Russia, especially Saint-Petersburg a sister city of Hamburg. We commit ourselves to the course in the challenging situation of today and we are set to pursue it in the future.

- What is the purpose of your coming to Russia, to TransRussia 2016 exhibition? What do you expect from meetings and contacts in Russia?

- Sister cities have a sound network of relations supported, besides others, by Hamburg Messe, Hafen Hamburg Marketing, Hamburg Tourismus GmbH. For me, annual logistics exhibition TransRussia is an excellent opportunity to establish contacts and to exchange views on the ports development and on mutual trade prospects. Besides, many businessmen from Hamburg take advantage of taking part in the international exhibition for establishment and development of their business relations.

Interviewed with the assistance HAFEN HAMBURG Marketing e.V.