HHLA boosts earnings in first half 2017

The Hamburg-based logistics provider and container terminal operator’s revenues rose 8.6 percent from the first half of last year thanks to developments in throughput and transport volumes.    Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG (HHLA) recorded earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) of 98.8 million euros (U.S. $116.4 million) for the first half of 2017, up 47.8 percent from the corresponding 2016 period, according to the logistics provider and container terminal operator’s latest financial statements.
   HHLA’s group revenue for the first half of 2017 totaled 622.8 million euros, up 8.6 percent year-over-year, primarily fueled by developments in throughput and transport volumes.
   HHLA handled 3.6 million TEUs during the first half of the year, up 11.8 percent from the first half of 2016. The company’s three container terminals in Hamburg, which collectively handled 3.4 million TEUs during the first half of the year, grew volumes due to a recovery on Asian routes and a significant increase in feeder traffic with Baltic Sea ports.
    “HHLA also profited from the reorganization of shipping alliances and resulting gains in market share at the Port of Hamburg,” the company said.
   In addition, HHLA’s container throughput at its terminal in Odessa reached 145,000 TEUs for the first half of the year, up 10.1 percent from the first half of 2016.