During the Port Evening Reception in Prague on Thursday, 9 October 2025, the economic and logistical ties between the Czech Republic and Hamburg were brought to the attention of a particularly large audience this year.
The hosts, the German Embassy in Prague, the Senate of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg, and Port of Hamburg Marketing, welcomed around 900 guests to the German Unity Day celebration.
The presence of Czech President Petr Pavel and the First Mayor of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg, Dr Peter Tschentscher, underlined the importance of relations between the Czech Republic and the Hanseatic city.
Hamburg also maintains a close city partnership with Prague, which is celebrating its 35th anniversary this year.
Dr Peter Tschentscher, First Mayor of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg, said that today, Hamburg is the most important port for the Czech Republic, connecting the country’s economy and neighbouring regions with global markets.
Around 95% of goods are transported by rail: reliably, efficiently and in a climate-friendly manner.
Axel Mattern, CEO of Port of Hamburg Marketing, said that the connection between Hamburg and Prague through the city partnership, and through the Port of Hamburg representative office, is a strong example of how economic and cultural bridges can be built over decades.
Marina Basso Michael, Regional Director Europe at Port of Hamburg Marketing, stated Hamburg is the Czech Republic’s maritime gateway to the world, and Prague is one of the most important gateways to Central Europe.
With the establishment of its representative office in Prague in 1990, the Port of Hamburg opened its first office in a former Eastern Bloc country, which once again belonged to the Port of Hamburg’s natural hinterland.
The economic significance of these relations is enormous: around half a million TEU are transported between Hamburg and the Czech Republic and Slovakia annually, over 95 per cent by rail.
This makes Hamburg the most important overseas port for the Czech Republic. Additionally, the high proportion of rail transport exemplifies the excellent hinterland connections of Europe’s largest rail port.
The participants unanimously emphasized the need to maintain and expand infrastructure to continue fostering economic relations in the spirit of a forward-looking partnership.
