The Ports of Hamburg and Klaipeda have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), further strengthening their cooperation.
Dr. Marius Skuodis, Lithuanian Minister of Transport and Communications, Algis Latakas, Director of Klaipėda State Seaport Authority, and Axel Mattern, CEO of HHM – Port of Hamburg Marketing, signed the agreement on 5 May 2022.
In the near future, both ports, as well as the transport industry based in Lithuania, aim to cooperate by exchanging transport market-related data.
This will help promote the transport corridors between both markets with joint marketing activities, and in implementing logistics projects.
“Lithuania is a significant partner for the Port of Hamburg’s seaborne cargo throughput and important to sea and land transport services. The entire Baltic region is of immense importance for the Port of Hamburg. We are delighted by the Lithuanian side’s great interest in stepping up our exchange and cooperation between the two ports,” said Mattern.
According to the Ports of Hamburg and Klaipeda, maritime connections between Lithuanian and German ports, as well as port-serving railway infrastructure, are critical components of international logistics chains.
“There is a lot of potential for improving transportation connections, strengthening links between countries, attracting more freight flows, cooperating on various projects, and applying cutting-edge technologies,” added Skuodis.
The Port of Hamburg has held a strong relationship with its partner country Lithuania for several years now. This was evidenced in the ‘Amber Coast Logistics’ and ‘EMMA Extension’ projects in 2014 and 2021.
The closer cooperation agreed in the MoU opens up numerous additional opportunities for the Hamburg Metropolitan Region, since the largest Baltic state has a vibrant start-up scene and is among the pioneers of digitalization.
Both parties also see great potential for a fruitful exchange in the alternative energy sector.
Michael Westhagemann, President of the Authority for Economics and Innovation of the City of Hamburg, commented: “All European countries confront the same challenge.
“We must observe climate targets, adapt our energy supply to renewable energies, make ourselves independent of imported energy from Russia, and organize the market launch of a hydrogen economy. Lithuania can prove to be a vital and valuable partner in these areas.”
The Port of Klaipeda recently saw a significant rise in container volumes in Q1 2O22, returning the port to pre-pandemic levels.
A total of 218,015 TEU passed through the port in the period of January to March 2022, this led to it being listed in PTI’s ‘Top 10 Baltic Ports in 2022 so far’ list.
