Total throughput at Lübeck port increases by two percent in 2024

The Lübeck Port Company (LHG) has concluded the year 2024 with a two percent increase in total throughput despite challenging market conditions. A total cargo volume of 21.6 million tons was handled at the quaysides. The handling of rolling cargo remained the main business of the LHG in 2024. With nearly 890,000 loading units, it landed almost exactly at the previous year’s level. Paper and cardboard increased by 23 percent to over one million tons.

(Lübeck) Container volumes rose by eight percent. In contrast, the handling of new vehicles decreased by 18 percent to 47,000 units due to market conditions. The number of ferry passengers increased slightly to 504,000, who took 191,000 cars with them, which is two percent more than the previous year.

The intermodal sector of the LHG has developed particularly positively: At the facility of the subsidiary Baltic Rail Gate (BRG) at the Scandinavia Quay in Lübeck-Travemünde, the handling of trailers and containers increased by ten percent to over 124,000 units. The LHG has already responded to the high growth rates of the intermodal terminal: At the turn of the year, the expansion work was successfully completed. After the official acceptance, six tracks, each 740 meters long, are now available. This increases the capacity to up to 240,000 trailers and containers annually after the arrival of a third portal crane, which is planned for this year.

For 2025, LHG Managing Director Sebastian Jürgens expects similar throughput figures: “However, the volume-heavy forestry products business will remain under pressure. The reason is the structural adjustments in the Nordic forestry products industry due to the extremely volatile market.”

Advantages of a universal port pay off

To broaden its scope, the LHG will continue to promote the handling of project cargo in 2025: “This includes, for example, rail vehicles for the Scandinavian market as well as wind power components,” explains Jürgens. “In addition, we recently handled two transformers with a total weight of 572 tons at our Nordland Quay together with partner companies. With this record weight, we were able to impressively demonstrate our heavy load expertise. The advantages of a universal port are increasingly paying off.”

Photo: © LHG