Containers

Bremerhaven is a hub for goods flows from all over the world

Mega-container vessels are meanwhile up to 400 metres long and 60 metres wide and can take up to 20,000 standard containers (TEU) on board. The Container Terminal in Bremerhaven offers a total of 14 berths for these gigantic ships, making the port one of the most important container hubs in north-western Europe. The 4930-metre long quay and 2900 hectares of operating area mean that Bremerhaven is one of the largest coherent container terminal facilities anywhere in Europe. Our 40 container gantries load up to 40 containers per hour. In 2021, container throughput totalled 5.2 million TEU: ample proof that we stand for efficiency.

Bremerhaven is also known as a container hub: the port absorbs goods from all over the world like a sponge, before distributing them again to destinations overseas and in all regions of Europe. We can rely on a high-performance network of rail and road connections for European import and export business. There are also a large number of feeder vessels that link Bremerhaven with numerous other ports on the continent.

Blick aufs Containerterminal. Insert: Weiße Schrift auf grauem Grund: Bremerhaven: Container-Terminal

To protect your personal data, your connection to the video streaming provider has been blocked. Click to unblock the video streaming provider. By loading the video you accept the video streaming provider’s privacy policy. More information about the video streaming provider’s privacy policy can be found here: Google - Privacy & Terms

A steel box revolutionises shipping

The success story of the container began back in February 1968. At that time, however, nobody could know that this steel box was to become one of the key elements of globalisation. The standardised containers simplified the worldwide storage and transport of many kinds of goods. This was a revolution not only for shipping, but also for the entire logistics industry. This was also the case at the ports of Bremen, which placed their trust in the innovative containers right from the start. The first container ever to be discharged in Germany arrived at Bremen’s Überseehafen in 1966. These huge standardised crates changed every aspect of maritime logistics: the larger vessels needed ports that could accommodate them and new handling areas. Bremer Lagerhaus-Gesellschaft did pioneering work in this sector, relocating its container business from Bremen to Bremerhaven. The first berth for container vessels was inaugurated at the riverside quay of Bremerhaven Container Terminal in 1971.

Attractive location: prime port business for Bremen and the whole of Germany

When it comes to responsibility, we set a good example – throughout the entire country. The twin ports fen Bremen and Bremerhaven play an important for Germany as a strong economic and export nation. As one of the most high-powered logistics centres in Europe, the port group had a highly committed workforce of around 38,000 employees in Bremen alone in 2019. But it is not only in the north of Germany that the port business creates jobs: in 2019, its gateway function provided no fewer than 344,900 secure jobs at industrial enterprises throughout Germany. Because they provide access to global markets for German export/import enterprises, the ports of Bremen play a particularly important macroeconomic role, and they do so confidently and with complete commitment. In the interests of good cooperation throughout Germany.


Wilhelm Kaisen Container Terminal quay length: 4930 metres


Water depth: 14 to 16.5 metres


Operating area: 2.9 million square metres


Container cranes: 41

Blick auf eine sechsstöckige Wand aus Containern.

Bremerhaven is also known as a container hub: the port absorbs goods from all over the world like a sponge, before distributing them again to destinations overseas and in all regions of Europe.