Depth, not surface.

(02) From quay to code

Eight centuries ahead through trade.

1. 1189

   Elbe

   A charter that is still celebrated today

   The charter granting Hamburg’s ships toll-free passage on the Elbe is dated 7 May 1189. It has long been known that it was only drawn up in the 13th century – yet the port’s birthday is still celebrated every year around 7 May.

2. Hanse

   North Sea and Baltic

   A network long before the internet

   As a Hanseatic city, Hamburg becomes a hub in a trading network stretching from the North Sea to the Baltic. Merchants connect markets that had never met before – with shared rules everyone can rely on.

3. 1888

   Speicherstadt

   The logistics centre of its time

   Construction of the Speicherstadt begins in 1883; the free port opens in 1888. It is considered the largest contiguous warehouse complex in the world, and next to it the Kontorhaus district grows into Europe’s first dedicated office quarter. Both have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2015.

4. 1968

   Burchardkai

   The box changes everything

   On 31 May 1968 the “American Lancer” becomes the first full container ship to berth in Hamburg. A standardized steel box makes cargo interchangeable, predictable and fast – and reorders world trade.

5. 2002

   Altenwerder

   Software runs the port

   Since 2002, driverless vehicles have been operating at the Container Terminal Altenwerder, with cranes stacking under software control. It is considered one of the most highly automated container terminals in the world. The port has long been a data centre, too.