When the Berlin Wall fell and the Iron Curtain lifted in 1989, the political changes in Europe opened vast new opportunities for trade. Yet the sudden freedom of movement also created bottlenecks, particularly on the German-Polish border where trucks often sat in long queues. It was here that Hamburg Hafen und Logistik AG (HHLA) recognized a chance to redefine freight logistics. The company looked to the railway as the answer and in doing so laid the foundation for becoming a leading European player in intermodal container traffic.

Hamburg’s rail port had a broad continental reach that offered a key geographical advantage. The opening of Eastern Europe created a new hinterland, and HHLA seized the opportunity. In 1991, with the liberalization of the EU rail market, HHLA entered a joint venture with the Polish State Railways PKP and freight forwarder Egon Wenk. This marked the beginning of Polzug Polen-Hamburg-Transport GmbH, the first non-railway company permitted to run freight trains on state-owned tracks.

Soon after, similar initiatives emerged in Czechoslovakia, spearheaded by Jiri Samek, who founded METRANS in Prague. METRANS introduced the hub-and-shuttle principle, operating both trains and handling terminals, and in doing so created a reliable, high-frequency network that revolutionized container transport.

From Hamburg to the Heart of Europe

HHLA’s stake in METRANS began in 1995 and grew steadily until the company became its sole owner. Polzug was eventually integrated into METRANS, consolidating HHLA’s intermodal strength. By the new millennium, Hamburg had reclaimed its position as Europe’s leading rail port, with HHLA and METRANS playing pivotal roles in developing routes not only across Europe but also to Asia.

In 2008, the Beijing- Hamburg Container Express arrived in less than 15 days, offering a competitive alternative to sea transport. Within a decade, METRANS was managing hundreds of trains linking Europe with China.

Today, HHLA’s intermodal network is one of the most comprehensive in Europe. Its seven hub terminals, supported by thirteen satellite terminals and depots in eight countries, manage around 650 trains each week. The network stretches across nineteen national borders, linking the North Sea, Baltic, Adriatic, and Black Sea regions. METRANS has become the backbone of HHLA’s inland operations, with its 2,500 employees ensuring smooth, reliable, and flexible services for customers across the continent.

Driving the Green Rail Revolution

Technology and sustainability are embedded in HHLA’s strategy. METRANS operates its own locomotives and wagons, supported by in-house maintenance facilities such as the Dyko Rail Repair Shop in Kolin, Czech Republic.

By designing lightweight flat wagons and deploying hybrid shunting locomotives, the company reduces emissions while improving efficiency. Many of its electric locomotives now recover braking energy and feed it back into the grid, contributing to a greener transport chain. This aligns with HHLA’s ambitious goal of achieving climate-neutral operations by 2040.

The flagship program driving this effort is HHLA Pure, which enables customers to move their containers in a certified climate-friendly manner through ports and across the European rail network. While most of METRANS’ long-distance routes already operate under this standard, the last-mile challenge remains. Diesel trucks are still widely used, but HHLA is addressing this gap with forward-looking investments. Its subsidiaries CTD and METRANS have introduced battery-powered trucks to Hamburg’s port transfers and road transport in Central Europe. Even hydrogen-powered vehicles are being tested for wider deployment. The company is using data from these trials to shape future procurement and move the industry closer to zero-emission logistics.

Strengthening Europe’s Supply Chains

Expansion remains another cornerstone of HHLA’s strategy. In 2024, the company acquired a majority stake in Roland Spedition, Austria’s largest owner-managed container operator, further strengthening its position in the Alpine region. The same year, HHLA integrated Croatian Adria Rail, solidifying its presence in southeastern Europe. New terminals are under construction in Hungary, and future plans target Romania and Serbia as key hubs. These moves demonstrate HHLA’s confidence in the rapid economic growth of southeastern Europe, a region where logistics demand is soaring.

The scale of HHLA’s impact can be measured not only in terms of physical infrastructure but also in the lives and industries it touches. For manufacturers in landlocked regions, HHLA provides critical connections to seaports, ensuring that goods from Prague, Budapest, or Warsaw reach global markets efficiently.

Retailers and e-commerce companies also benefit from dependable intermodal solutions that reduce delays and keep supply chains resilient. By reducing reliance on road transport and shifting more volume to rail, HHLA contributes to lower congestion and reduced carbon emissions, issues central to Europe’s climate agenda.

The Journey as a Thought Leader

The success of HHLA’s approach lies in its ability to blend tradition with innovation. The company draws strength from Hamburg’s long maritime heritage while embracing technological progress that will define logistics in the future. From advanced rail terminals equipped with digital systems to new approaches in energy recovery and fleet electrification, HHLA is setting standards for the industry. This dual commitment to heritage and progress ensures its role not just as a service provider but also as a thought leader within the European logistics ecosystem.

“HHLA’s intermodal strategy reflects both tradition and transformation,” says Lars Neumann, General representative Intermodal at HHLA. “We are proud of 140 years of history, but we are equally committed to shaping a sustainable and connected future for European logistics.”

The legacy of visionaries like Jiri Samek continues to shape HHLA’s present and future. From pioneering private rail freight services in the early 1990s to today’s fully integrated intermodal network, HHLA has consistently adapted to Europe’s evolving trade landscape. Its combination of infrastructure investment, sustainable innovation, and strategic expansion ensures it remains at the forefront of logistics.

In 2024 alone, HHLA’s intermodal companies transported over 1.8 million standard containers. Each of these represents not just cargo but also a part of the continent’s economic lifeline. The company’s ability to move goods efficiently across borders underpins Europe’s internal market, making HHLA not just a logistics provider but also a driver of connectivity and growth.

A Model for Modern Logistics

Equally important is HHLA’s role in aligning with Europe’s policy priorities. As the European Union pushes for stronger environmental regulations, increased cross-border trade, and digital transformation of industries, HHLA provides tangible solutions. Its green rail corridors, digital terminal management systems, and forward-looking fleet strategy embody the EU’s vision for a sustainable and interconnected future. By positioning itself at the intersection of policy and practice, HHLA reinforces its value not only to customers but also to society at large.

As Europe’s trade flows continue to expand and environmental standards become stricter, HHLA is positioned to lead the way. Its commitment to climate neutrality, combined with the resilience of its network, ensures that the company will remain a trusted partner for industries that rely on seamless logistics. In a world where supply chains face constant challenges, HHLA’s integrated solutions offer both stability and progress.

What began as an answer to post-Cold War bottlenecks has become a model for modern intermodal logistics. With roots in Hamburg but a network that spans the continent, HHLA exemplifies how vision, adaptability, and sustainability can converge to create a company that not only serves today’s needs but also shapes tomorrow’s possibilities. The story of HHLA is, at its core, the story of Europe’s logistics future: ambitious, connected, and sustainable.