Posted on June 1, 2026
Hamburg’s Senator for Economic Affairs, Dr Melanie Leonhard, today welcomed Estonia’s Minister of Infrastructure, Kuldar Leis, to Hamburg City Hall. The Minister was accompanied by a high-level delegation representing the port industry, logistics sector and political institutions. During the visit, the Hamburg Port Authority (HPA), Port of Hamburg Marketing (HHM) and the Port of Tallinn signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) to strengthen their cooperation further. The agreement focuses on digitalisation, sustainability, resilient supply chains and the continued development of secure and efficient port and transport infrastructure across the Baltic Sea region.
The visit follows Senator Leonhard’s trip to Estonia in 2024 and underlines the close partnership between Hamburg and Estonia.
Dr Melanie Leonhard, Senator for Economic Affairs, Labour and Innovation, said: “Hamburg and Estonia share a forward-looking vision: both are committed to digital innovation, strong ports and secure supply chains. Particularly in times of global uncertainty, the importance of reliable partnerships within the Baltic region becomes increasingly clear. Today, ports are far more than transhipment hubs – they are centres for data, energy and international cooperation. With today’s signing, we are strengthening a partnership that drives innovation while also enhancing the resilience of our infrastructure.”
Kuldar Leis, Minister of Infrastructure of the Republic of Estonia, said: “For centuries, the Baltic Sea has connected Estonia and Germany. Today’s visit has given this cooperation renewed practical momentum. Through the ports of Hamburg and Lübeck, we are better connected to Germany, Europe’s largest economy, and from there to wider European markets. At the same time, Estonia’s maritime sector offers digital solutions that make freight transport faster, cleaner and more efficient. Today’s agreements will create new opportunities for our businesses, expand trade and strengthen our economies.”
The agreement builds on existing cooperation between the ports of Tallinn and Hamburg and further develops these ties in a targeted manner. Particular emphasis will be placed on the digitalisation of port and logistics processes, decarbonisation, security and resilience issues, as well as the development of efficient transport corridors throughout the Baltic Sea region.
Valdo Kalm, CEO of the Port of Tallinn, said: “For the Port of Tallinn, the German ports of Hamburg and Lübeck are key strategic partners with considerable potential for deeper cooperation. Significant cargo volumes between Estonia and Germany are already handled through the ports of Muuga and Paldiski South in both Ro-Ro and container traffic. These connections create important logistical bridges between Estonia, major hubs in Northern and Western Europe, and Germany’s principal ports. Closer cooperation opens up additional opportunities in trade, the cruise sector and port development. At the same time, it provides a valuable basis for exchanging expertise in digitalisation and cybersecurity – key issues for the resilience and security of modern supply chains.”
Friedrich Stuhrmann, Chief Commercial Officer of Hamburg Port Authority, said: “I am delighted that today we are further strengthening the long-standing cooperation between the Port of Hamburg and the Port of Tallinn. More than ever, it is clear how important international cooperation has become, whether through multilateral collaboration at European level or bilateral partnerships. This Letter of Intent lays the foundation for future cooperation between the ports, not only in traditional trade areas but also with regard to current challenges such as cybersecurity and military mobility.”
Hendrik Meyn, CEO of Port of Hamburg Marketing, said: “Estonia is an important partner country for the Port of Hamburg. Trade relations are developing positively and, given the growing importance of critical infrastructure, resilient supply chains and sustainable energy and transport systems, these ties are gaining further strategic significance. With this Letter of Intent, we are providing a new framework for this cooperation.”
The Port of Tallinn is one of the most significant port locations in the Baltic Sea region and plays a central role in freight and passenger traffic between Estonia, Finland and Sweden. Through several weekly container services, Tallinn maintains close links with the Port of Hamburg, which serves as a key gateway for intercontinental trade, particularly to Asia and North America.
Economic relations between Hamburg and Estonia also continue to develop steadily. Estonia is regarded as one of Europe’s most innovative digital economies and is an important partner for Hamburg, particularly in the fields of digitalisation, maritime technologies and logistics.
