HHLA growths despite economic crises in Russia and Ukraine  

Hamburg, November 14, 2014 (STAT):-Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG (HHLA) increased its revenue by 6.0 percent to € 906.7 million in the first nine months of 2014. Growth in the operating result (EBIT) was even stronger at 10.9 percent. The company upped its operating result to € 131.3 million in the first three quarters. HHLA expects its operating result on Group level to be in the region of the upper end of the guidance range for the full year 2014.

Business developed successfully at Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG in the first nine months of 2014. The Group further expanded its position in the container transport market and increased its hinterland transport volume by over 10 percent. HHLA also experienced further growth in its container throughput. The pace of growth was restricted, however, by a decrease in feeder traffic at HHLA’s Hamburg terminals which stemmed partly from a significant reduction in traffic with Russia. The economic impact of the conflict in Ukraine also affected the rate of throughput growth.

Revenue and the operating result developed pleasingly: both outperformed volume growth of HHLA. Amongst other things, this was attributable to operational improvements, moves to optimise the cost of coping with peak loads, and a noticeable increase in the proportion of higher-revenue and higher-margin overseas traffic in the handling mix. “Our strategy of expanding capacity in line with demand, boosting mega-ship handling efficiency and driving growth in our hinterland transport services has been validated once again,” said Klaus-Dieter Peters, Chairman of HHLA’s Executive Board.