HHLA Expands Airbus Handling Capacity at Hamburg Terminal for China Exports

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^{Inauguration of the new Airbus site at the HHLA Container Terminal Tollerort.}

Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG (HHLA) has expanded its handling capacity for Airbus aircraft components at Container Terminal Tollerort (CTT), strengthening a long established logistics corridor between Germany and China.

The new storage facilities were officially opened on 17 June during a ceremony attended by representatives from HHLA, COSCO SHIPPING, and Airbus. The investment is designed to support growing volumes of aircraft parts moving through the Port of Hamburg to Airbus’ final assembly operations in Tianjin, China.

Airbus has used the terminal since 2008 to transport pre assembled aircraft sections from its Hamburg production facilities. The oversized components are moved to a dedicated area at CTT, where they are temporarily stored before being loaded onto COSCO SHIPPING vessels for shipment to China.

With demand continuing to increase, HHLA has doubled the available storage capacity. The terminal now offers 20 dedicated storage bays for Airbus components, providing additional flexibility for handling larger volumes of aviation cargo.

The scale of the operation highlights the importance of the logistics chain. In 2025 alone, CTT handled nearly 300 aircraft components with a combined weight exceeding 5,000 tonnes.

Alongside the capacity expansion, HHLA has introduced a newly developed mooring technique aimed at improving operational efficiency during cargo handling.

The terminal has also extended its wind protection barrier to safeguard sensitive aircraft components from environmental influences while awaiting shipment. Given the high value and technical requirements of aviation cargo, specialised handling procedures remain a key part of the operation.

Specially trained personnel conduct regular inspections and ensure compliance with the strict quality and safety standards required by the aerospace industry.

The project reinforces Hamburg’s role as a logistics hub for high value industrial exports. Aircraft sections represent some of the most complex and sensitive cargoes moving through the port, requiring close coordination between manufacturers, terminal operators, and shipping lines.

Jaber Ghanim, HHLA project manager at CTT, said the expansion creates the foundation for further growth in Airbus export activities.

“Together with Airbus and COSCO SHIPPING, we at CTT have laid the foundations for further expanding the export activities of one of Hamburg’s most important industrial companies. We are delighted to be able to support our partners in reliably bringing more high quality European products to international markets in the future.”

Ghanim also credited the terminal project team for completing the expansion while maintaining normal operational activities throughout the construction period.

^{Source: Port of Hamburg}