# German shipping and logistics sector developments

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/german-shipping-and-logistics-sector-developments
> Updated: 2026-08-13T06:50:09.000Z. Sources: 13. Developments: 2.

German shipping and logistics companies have faced a combination of operational and geopolitical challenges during the first half of 2026.

Hapag-Lloyd announced plans to relocate the starting point of its East-Med-Express liner service from Hamburg to the JadeWeserPort in Wilhelmshaven, effective 6 September 2026. The company cited the tide-dependent Elbe passage as a cause for schedule delays and noted that Wilhelmshaven’s deep-water, tide-independent port offers an 18-metre draft to accommodate large container ships and improve timetable stability.

Financial reports for the period show mixed results across the sector. Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG (HHLA) experienced a 6.7 percent decline in container throughput, which the company attributed to modernization efforts, rail construction, and harsh winter weather.

Newer financial data for Hapag-Lloyd indicates a net loss of 148 million euros for the first half of 2026. While the carrier saw a second-quarter recovery driven by strong US demand and Asian exports, the company remains heavily impacted by Middle East instability. Specifically, the closure of the Strait of Hormuz resulted in approximately US$600 million in additional expenses for the second quarter alone, covering fuel, insurance, and rerouting costs. 

During the second quarter, Hapag-Lloyd recorded a net profit of $83 million, a significant improvement over first-quarter losses. This recovery was supported by rising spot rates, which increased 9 percent year-over-year to $1,475 per TEU. Additionally, the Terminal & Infrastructure division saw growth, with second-quarter revenues reaching $191 million following the consolidation of J M Baxi’s container business. Despite these gains, CEO Rolf Habben Jansen noted that the company remains subject to uncertainty due to freight rate volatility and ongoing geopolitical tensions.

## Claims

- Hapag-Lloyd reported a net profit of $83 million for the second quarter of 2026. (disputed by 6 sources)
- Hapag-Lloyd recorded a net loss of 148 million euros for the first half of 2026. (disputed by 2 sources)
- The conflict in the Middle East and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz caused approximately $600 million in additional costs during the second quarter. (corroborated by 6 sources)
- The second quarter saw improved volumes and spot rates driven by strong Asian exports and US demand. (corroborated by 6 sources)
- The company's average freight rate rose 9% year-over-year to $1,475 per TEU in the second quarter. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The company's Terminal & Infrastructure division revenue increased to $191 million in the second quarter. (corroborated by 3 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-13: Hapag-Lloyd reports Q2 recovery despite Middle East conflict costs

Hapag-Lloyd reported a $83 million profit in Q2 2026, rebounding from earlier losses despite $600 million in extra costs caused by Middle East conflicts and the Strait of Hormuz closure.

11 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/german-shipping-and-logistics-firms-report-mixed-2026-results

### 2026-08-06: Hapag-Lloyd shifts East-Med-Express service from Hamburg to Wilhelmshaven

Hapag-Lloyd will move its East-Med-Express service from Hamburg to Wilhelmshaven on 6 Sept 2026 to avoid tide‑related delays, using the deep‑water JadeWeserPort and the ship Colombine Maersk.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/hapag-lloyd-shifts-east-med-express-service-from-hamburg-to-wilhelmshaven

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Cite as: German shipping and logistics sector developments. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/german-shipping-and-logistics-sector-developments