Geneva DryTBA GroupPort of StocktonCimbriaSailors SocietyTMS Awards 2023
  • Sailors Society
  • TBA Group
  • TMS Awards 2023
  • Van Aalst
  • Port of Stockton
  • Cimbria

Enormous willingness to help Odessa HHLA families

Enormous willingness to help Odessa HHLA families

(Posted on 18/03/22)

It is the preliminary end of a long journey: the first families of HHLA staff members from Ukraine have arrived in Hamburg. Approximately 80 women, children and older people who decided to flee their homeland arrived at the company’s main building on two touring coaches chartered by HHLA. A third bus with 40 additional refugees is expected within the next few days.

Since the closure of its terminal in the port of Odessa following the Russian attacks on Ukraine, Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG has assigned top priority to the safety of its 480 employees and their families. Together with consultancy subsidiary HPC, a HHLA team consisting of employees working in various areas organised transportation from Romania, where the refugees had arrived, to Hamburg. In addition, support staff assisted people who had fled Odessa in their private cars.

The refugees will stay with German HHLA employees temporarily. More than 70 HHLA employees and their relatives and neighbours responded to the company’s call and have offered people a place to stay in their homes. The German employees are not only providing the refugees with “homes” for the initial period but also serve as contacts and chaperones for pending bureaucratic procedures. They are supported by HHLA staff members with knowledge of Ukrainian and Russian.

Furthermore, HHLA employees have collected more than 40,000 euros within a short period of time in the course of a “Together for Odessa” pledge campaign.

With regard to the refugees’ arrival, Chairwoman of HHLA’s Executive Board Angela Titzrath states: “As one of Europe’s leading logistics companies, we are aware of our responsibility for our employees, no matter at which location they work for us. Cohesion and the ability to rely on one another are distinguishing features of our corporate culture that will stand the test in these difficult times, as they do in our everyday working lives. We are also demonstrating solidarity with our staff members in Odessa by continuing to reliably fulfil our supply mandate at all other locations and by rail.”  

HHLA Labour Director Torben Seebold, who welcomed the refugees in the company headquarters, declares: “The Executive Board is deeply moved by our employees’ tremendous effort on behalf of their colleagues in Odessa. We stand together as HHLA family to take a common stance of solidarity and humanity. During this time, our thoughts are particularly with the employees who remained in Odessa and who are looking after security at the terminal or who have been called to military duty.”

In consultation with the local authorities, the HHLA terminal in Odessa was closed and employees sent home when the Russian army invaded. The HHLA Executive Board immediately arranged to pay employees their monthly salaries in advance so that they could stockpile goods they need for everyday consumption. 

Latest News

Haivanship expands operations into northern Vietnam

(Posted on 04/12/24)

Leading Vietnamese maritime-logistics operator Haivanship (HVS) is growing its Konecranes fleet with... Read more


Ghent boosts bulk handling with a Gen 6 Konecranes Gottwald MHC

(Posted on 29/11/24)

Euroports Group is set to strengthen its bulk handling capacity at North Sea Port (Ghent) with the addition... Read more


Europe’s first fully electric tug delivered to Antwerp-Bruges

(Posted on 29/11/24)

Damen Shipyards Group has delivered six RSD Tugs 2513 to the Port of Antwerp-Bruges in Belgium. The... Read more


Hamburg bulks show mixed trends

(Posted on 20/11/24)

Throughput of bulk cargo at the Port of Hamburg has experienced a slight recovery over the course of... Read more


LAR in Angola reinforces transport capacity with new wagons

(Posted on 20/11/24)

The Lobito Atlantic Railway (LAR) has taken an important step this week towards strengthening its transport... Read more


ABP’s Port of Hull welcomes two new build Eco Traders

(Posted on 13/11/24)

The Port of Hull recently welcomed two new eco-friendly vessels built for charterer Ahlmark Lines AB... Read more


Port of Detroit awarded $24m by EPA for climate-friendly upgrades

(Posted on 12/11/24)

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in a historic move toward green infrastructure, has... Read more


Viterra signs deal with ABP in the Humber

(Posted on 12/11/24)

Associated British Ports (ABP) and Viterra, one of the world leading grain marketers, have announce... Read more


New Managing Director at TBA Doncaster

(Posted on 04/11/24)

From 1st November, TBA’s Doncaster division has a change of leadership.Responsible for the bulk... Read more


Port of Vancouver USA grant to deploy and expand clean energy infrastructure

(Posted on 31/10/24)

The Port of Vancouver USA has announced it has been awarded a $22.5 million grant by the U.S. Environmental... Read more


Port of South LouisianaBühler GmbHViganTelestackTOC AmericasVan Aalst
  • Port of South Louisiana
  • Bühler GmbH
  • Geneva Dry
  • Vigan

Subscribe to our newsletter

Keep up to date with the latest global news in bulk cargo handling and shipping