Representatives of Hamburg’s port and maritime industry, as part of an official delegation from the Senate of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg, visited India, where they held a series of meetings with partners in Chennai, Mumbai, and New Delhi. The main goal of the visit was to develop dialogue and expand cooperation in port logistics and maritime transport. The delegation was led by Dr. Melanie Leonhard, Senator for Economic Affairs, Labor, and Innovation in Hamburg. Also participating were Jens Meyer, CEO of the Hamburg Port Authority and President of the International Association of Ports and Harbors; Hendrik Meyn, Head of Port of Hamburg Marketing; and representatives of the maritime industry.
One of the key topics of the talks was the sustainable development of port infrastructure. At a meeting with representatives of the Mumbai Port Authority, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority, and the Indian Ports Association, the parties discussed strategies for creating climate-neutral ports and exchanged experiences in environmental technologies. The Hamburg delegation presented practical solutions, including the implementation of shore-based power supply. These issues were also discussed at the “Ports in Conversation – Hamburg meets Mumbai” event, where experts explored the prospects for developing sustainable and resilient ports of the future, modernizing port areas, and developing cruise infrastructure.
India is already one of the Port of Hamburg’s key trading partners. From 2020 to 2024, direct container traffic between Hamburg and India grew by 21%, reaching a record 290,000 TEU in 2025 – almost 50% more than the previous year. At the end of the year, India ranked sixth among the Port of Hamburg’s largest partners in maritime container shipping. The port currently has twelve scheduled services, including container, RoRo, and general cargo lines, connecting it to the Indian ports of Nhava Sheva, Mundra, Mumbai, Chennai, Ennore, and Hazira.