A delegation from the Senate of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg has recently completed a strategic visit to India to bolster maritime trade relations amid the evolving EU-India Free Trade Agreement. Led by Melanie Leonhard, Hamburg’s Senator for Economic Affairs, the group engaged with key stakeholders in Chennai, Mumbai, and New Delhi, focusing on enhancing port collaboration and developing climate-neutral infrastructure.
The delegation featured prominent figures such as Jens Meier, CEO of the Hamburg Port Authority, and Hendrik Meyn, CEO of Port of Hamburg Marketing. In Mumbai, discussions with various port authorities centered on sustainable maritime infrastructure and strategies for climate-neutral port development. At the “Ports in Conversation” forum, attendees explored future-oriented port models and maritime planning.
India’s importance as a trading partner for Hamburg has been growing, with a 21% increase in direct container throughput from 2020 to 2024. The Port of Hamburg achieved a record 290,000 TEU in direct trade with India in 2025, highlighting the dynamic advancement of Indo-German trade relations. With twelve liner connections to India, including key port links, the visit marks a significant step in enhancing cooperation between the two regions.
