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German shipping and logistics sector developments

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2026-08-13 17:17 UTC → 2026-08-14 08:12 UTC · added ~~removed~~

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. ~~The company expressed caution for~~ During the ~~remainder~~ 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 ~~year, citing risks such as port congestion~~ 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 ~~potential US tariffs.~~ ongoing geopolitical tensions.

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