BLG Logistics moved 1.5m vehicles through its Bremerhaven automotive terminal in financial year 2023, down 11.7% on the volumes handled in FY2022, mainly because of economic conditions, according to logistics provider.

Overall, however, the logistics provider’s Automobile division transported, handled and technically processed 5m vehicles during the financial year thanks to higher volumes moved through its inland terminals. BLG said its sales in the Automobile division increased by 933.6% from €62.1m ($66.5m) to €641.9m ($687.2), mainly due to higher revenues in the areas of transport and storage. 

Autoterminal-Bremerhaven-night02

BLG Autoterminal Bremerhaven processed 1.5m vehicles in FY2023, down 11.7% on the previous year

BLG was also able to increase high and heavy cargo through Bremerhaven by 0.2m metric tons to 1.3m.

Speaking at BLG AutoTerminal Bremerhaven, Matthias Magnor, executive officer and chief operating officer of the BLG Group, said: “In 2023, the location achieved a positive result, which was a major improvement on previous years. This was due especially to our restructuring and transformation processes coming into effect as well as newly agreed contracts with a number of key accounts.”

Magnor also announced an agreement between the AutoTerminal and the Haitong ro-ro terminal in Shanghai.

“With this cooperation, we have created a special bond between Shanghai and Bremerhaven, which will support Chinese auto manufacturers in the export of their vehicles to Europe,” said Magnor. “The agreement will strengthen the status of our ports as leading ro-ro ports in Asia and Europe.”

At the same time, he emphasised that Bremerhaven remains an open port for all shipping companies and automotive manufacturers.

The company said its strong operational performance in FY2023, which saw overall group sales increase by 8.1% to €1.21 billion, was extremely satisfying given the current demands on logistics services. BLG cited energy prices, inflation, shortage of skilled workers, climate change, the war in Ukraine, the Middle East situation and attacks on freight ships by Houthi rebels.

Sales revenue in contract logistics also increased by €20.9m to €569.1m. By contrast the Container division reported a sales decrease of €43.2m.

Read more about finished vehicle movements through Europe’s top vehicle handling ports