Container gateway · Germany
Port of Hamburg
Hamburg is a container gateway on the North Sea in Germany (Northern Europe & Atlantic). Below: key facts, how it connects with Vietnam and what to prepare when shipping through it.
Key facts
- Country / territory
- Germany
- UN/LOCODE
- DEHAM
- Port type
- Container gateway
- Region
- Northern Europe & Atlantic
- Waters
- North Sea
- Coordinates
- 53.53°N, 9.93°E
- Container throughput
- ≈ 7.7 million TEU (2023)
- Sea distance from Vietnam
- approx. 9,250 nm
About the port of Hamburg
Hamburg, on the Elbe river, is Germany’s largest port and an important gateway for Central and Eastern Europe by rail. River depth and tides can limit the draught of the largest ships.
Hamburg is a container gateway: most boxes handled are imports and exports for its own hinterland, carried on mainline and regional services.
According to port authority reports and widely published rankings, Hamburg handled approximately 7.7 million TEU in 2023.
Role in trade with Vietnam
Asia–North Europe is a core East–West trade lane. Routing via the Suez Canal or around the Cape of Good Hope depends on the carrier’s current network and security assessment for the Red Sea.
Sea routes and transit times from Vietnam
Estimated port-to-port distances and transit times on typical routings. Actual schedules depend on the service and its port rotation.
| Route | Distance | Transit (direct) |
|---|---|---|
| Cai Mep – Thi Vai → Hamburg | 9,250 | 24–29 days |
| Hai Phong → Hamburg | 9,960 | 26–31 days |
Shipping lines
Most global carriers and regional lines serve this region. We check current services and space for your shipment when quoting. All shipping lines →
Customs and documentation tips
- Make sure the commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading and customs declaration show consistent descriptions, HS codes, quantities and weights.
- Agree the Incoterms® rule and who arranges freight, insurance and destination charges before booking.
- Choose the bill of lading type (original, telex release or sea waybill) according to the payment terms with your buyer or supplier.
- Declare the verified gross mass (VGM) of each container before the carrier’s cut-off, as required by SOLAS.
- Check destination import requirements early: licences, product standards, labelling, fumigation or phytosanitary certificates where applicable.
- For the European Union, entry summary declarations under the ICS2 system must be filed before loading.
Vietnam has free trade agreements with Germany that may reduce import duties with a valid proof of origin: EVFTA. Vietnam’s free trade agreements →
Frequently asked questions about Hamburg
Where is the port of Hamburg?
Hamburg is in Germany, on the North Sea, in the Northern Europe & Atlantic shipping region.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Hamburg?
The UN/LOCODE commonly used for Hamburg is DEHAM. Check the exact terminal or location code required by the carrier when booking.
How long does sea freight take from Vietnam to Hamburg?
On a typical routing from Cai Mep – Thi Vai, the sea distance is about 9,250 nautical miles and a direct service takes roughly 24–29 days port to port. Services with transshipment take longer.
How big is the port of Hamburg?
According to published rankings, Hamburg handled approximately 7.7 million TEU in 2023.
What documents are needed to ship via Hamburg?
Usually a commercial invoice, packing list and bill of lading, plus any certificates required by the destination (origin, phytosanitary, fumigation, licences). Advance cargo filings may apply before loading.
Can Global Logistic Group arrange shipping to or from Hamburg?
Yes. We arrange FCL and LCL ocean freight, customs clearance and inland transport for Hamburg through our carrier contracts and agent network. Send us your cargo details for a quote.
Information on this page is general guidance compiled by Global Logistic Group from public sources. Port facilities, carrier networks, routings and transit times change frequently; always confirm current schedules, cut-offs and requirements with us or the carrier before booking. Data as of October 2026.