HHLA increases 2014 profits, throughput

The Hamburg-based logistics provider and terminal operator grew operating profits 10% on a 5.4% increase in revenue compared with 2013.    Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG (HHLA) increased operating profits 10 percent to 169.3 million euros (U.S. $181.95 million) for the full financial year in the 2014, according to the company’s latest financial statements. HHLA posted revenues of 1.2 billion euros for the year, a 5.4 percent increase compared to 2013.
   The logistics provider and container terminal operator set a new throughput record at its terminals in Hamburg, handling 7.2 million TEUs in 2014. HHLA’s intermodal companies increased their volumes 9.4 percent to 1.3 million TEUs for the year.
   The Hamburg-based company attributed its success primarily to 4.3 percent year-over-year growth in overseas volumes, and respective increases of 6.2 percent and 2.1 percent in volumes transferred at the HHLA terminals in Hamburg to rail and trucks. HHLA’s Port Logistics subgroup also increased operating result 11 percent 155.6 million euros on revenue growth of 5.5 to 1.17 billion euros.
   In 2014, HHLA said it grew its workforce considerably, adding 270 employees “on the basis of the rise in volumes at the Hamburg terminals, the ongoing expansion of the hinterland networks and the increasing use of its own locomotives.” The company now has a workforce of around 5,200 employees.
   “Despite a challenging environment particularly due to the further delay in dredging the navigation channel of the river Elbe, 2014 was a successful year for HHLA, as demonstrated by the significant increase in our operating result, a clear rise in our container transports and the record volume of cargo that we handled at our Hamburg container terminals,” said Klaus-Dieter Peters, chairman of HHLA’s executive board, at the presentation of the 2014 annual financial statements. “Our vertical Group strategy puts us in a strong position and we will continue to work intensively on improving the coordination of the logistics chain in the future.
   “We have invested in further improving our handling efficiency, for example by creating capacity reserves at our terminals in good time and by increasing our productivity. We made investments of more than €100 million in the Intermodal segment over the past three years, investing in additional hinterland terminals and in our own locomotives and wagons,” added Peters. 
   Looking forward to 2015, Peters said the company expects to see gains in container throughput and rail market share. “We aim to set benchmarks in terms of the productivity and efficiency of our terminals, operate the most efficient rail network for container transport in Central and Eastern Europe, increase the digitalization of our logistics chain and consolidate our high customer loyalty level by means of quality leadership,” said Peters.