Between January and September 2025, HHLA recorded noticeable improvements. According to a company statement, group revenue rose by 12.5 percent to EUR 1,331.4 million, while operating profit (EBIT) increased by 25.7 percent to EUR 117.1 million. The EBIT margin improved to 8.8 percent (previous year: 7.9 percent).
Profit after tax and after minority interests rose to EUR 34.9 million, up from EUR 23.1 million in the previous year.
CEO Jeroen Eijsink expressed satisfaction with the performance:
“HHLA has developed positively under challenging conditions in recent months. We were able to increase handling and transport volumes, which is also reflected in the development of revenue and earnings.”
The company will continue working to position HHLA for the future and to expand growth and partnerships.
Container throughput grows by 6.7 percent
In the container segment, HHLA recorded substantial volume growth. Waterborne throughput at terminals in Hamburg and abroad rose by 6.7 percent to 4,798 thousand TEU (previous year: 4,496 thousand TEU).
Of this:
- 4,548 thousand TEU were handled at Hamburg terminals (+6.0%),
- 250 thousand TEU at international locations (+23.1%).
According to the statement, volumes increased particularly on the Far East (especially China), South America and Africa trade lanes. Declines were recorded on the North America and Middle East routes.
HHLA also reports a significant increase in feeder volumes, especially with Finland, Poland and German ports. However, volumes from Estonia and Latvia decreased. The feeder ratio was 19.6 percent (previous year: 19.0 percent).
The development was significantly influenced by route diversions due to the military conflict in the Red Sea, the company added.
Intermodal: Rail transport rises by double digits
The Intermodal segment continues to be a key driver of the group. Container transport increased by 13.6 percent to 1,501 thousand TEU.
Of this:
- 1,300 thousand TEU were transported by rail (+13.7%),
- 201 thousand TEU by road (+13.2%).
Revenue grew disproportionately by 15.8 percent to EUR 604.1 million. According to HHLA, this was partly due to necessary price adjustments.
Segment EBIT rose by 21.5 percent to EUR 76.2 million, with the EBIT margin improving to 12.6 percent (previous year: 12.0 percent). The company noted that construction work on major routes and high utilisation levels at northern German seaports had a negative impact.
Real estate business stable – but with lower earnings
HHLA’s properties in the Speicherstadt and Fischmarkt districts remained almost fully let, the company said. Revenue increased slightly by 1.5 percent to EUR 34.8 million.
However, segment EBIT fell sharply by 16.9 percent to EUR 9.5 million, due to high one-off expenses that could not be offset by lower maintenance costs and higher rental income.
Subgroup Port Logistics: Strong operational growth
The listed Port Logistics subgroup increased revenue by 12.8 percent to EUR 1,303.5 million. EBIT rose by 31.7 percent to EUR 107.4 million, bringing the EBIT margin to 8.2 percent (previous year: 7.1 percent).
Earnings per share amounted to EUR 0.41 (previous year: EUR 0.22).
Annual forecast adjusted downwards
Despite the overall solid performance, HHLA has lowered its forecast for the full year. The Executive Board cited:
- increased global economic uncertainties, particularly due to US trade policy,
- ongoing disruptions in global supply chains,
- extensive automation measures at the Hamburg facilities.
According to the capital market statement published at the end of October, the expectations for 2025 are now:
- Container throughput: significant increase (previously: strong increase)
- Container transport: still strong increase
- Group revenue: unchanged strong increase
- Group EBIT: now EUR 160–175 million (previously: EUR 195–215 million)
- Port Logistics EBIT: EUR 145–160 million (previously: EUR 180–200 million)
- Real Estate EBIT: significant decline expected
