Container hinterland transport and energy efficiency: the case of Hamburg

Container hinterland transport by road is a fast growing sector in Northern Europe. Hamburg has a performance of more than 8 Mio. TEU in 2005 with a 14% yearly growth since 2001. A survey shows how technical and organisational measures for improving efficiency are taken in companies and provide evidence for various implementation rates. High potential for further improvements is given, due to low load factor and high empty running. Limitations are due to spatial pattern of logistics centres surrounding Hamburg, not close to the harbour. Problem is the general decision making structure of the container sea transport, from shipper to the customer, where the companies responsible for trucking to and from the harbour are not involved. However, these companies are those deciding about efficiency measures.