Bremerhaven on the Road to Success: Stable Figures, Winter Trends, and New Leadership – The 2025 Report

Von Carsten Steger - Eigenes Werk, CC BY-SA 4.0, Link
The turn of the year into 2026 is not just a calendar date, but a genuine milestone for the maritime location of Bremerhaven. In early January, the final figures for the 2025 fiscal year were released. The special significance: It was the first full year under the management of Global Ports Holding (GPH), which took over the terminal's helm in January 2025.

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But what do the bare numbers really tell us? We have analyzed the report for you and summarized the key facts.

At first glance, the key performance indicators seem unspectacularly solid, but a comparison with 2022 reveals true growth:

  • 100 Ship Calls: The number of calls has stabilized at a high level.
  • 292,000 Passengers: A significant leap compared to around 230,000 guests in 2022.
  • The Trend: With almost 3,000 passengers per call, it is clear that Bremerhaven operates in the segment of large resort vessels and classic ocean liners.

While some media outlets speak of a "stable result," international observers are already celebrating this as a record. The fact is: After the turbulent previous years, this stability is exactly the quality feature that cruise lines are looking for.

An exciting trend is the extension of the season. While Bremerhaven used to be rather quiet between October and April, there is now activity even in winter. Ships like Mein Schiff 3 (TUI Cruises) use the port for "winter getaways" without the need for flights, and Phoenix Reisen traditionally starts its world cruises from the Columbus Quay. This is impressively proven by the calls in December 2025 and January 2026.

With Global Ports Holding, Bremerhaven is now part of the world's largest port network. This brings advantages:

  1. Synergies: Processes from world metropolises like Barcelona are being adapted.
  2. Operational Excellence: Despite personnel shortages in the industry, operations in Bremerhaven ran smoothly – even on days with multiple large ships simultaneously.
  3. Investments: While the city (bremenports) takes care of the quay walls, GPH invests in the terminal experience.

Bremerhaven scores with its "Monolithic Quay." Over a kilometer in length allows for the simultaneous handling of three large ships. Unlike in Hamburg, there are no disruptive locks or height restrictions here. In addition, there is a terminal perfectly designed for "turnarounds" (passenger exchange): Short distances, barrier-free boarding bridges, and a strict separation of luggage and passenger flows ensure a stress-free experience.

The loyalty of Phoenix Reisen (with Artania and Amadea) and the volume strength of TUI Cruises form the backbone of the port. At the same time, Bremerhaven positions itself as an efficient alternative to Hamburg. When things get crowded on the Elbe, the Weser estuary offers reliable slots for the big ships.

Forecasts are positive. In the future, the focus will increasingly be on sustainability (shore power) and the further development of shore excursions to increase regional added value. In 2025, Bremerhaven proved that it is a specialized logistics hub capable of mastering even peak loads with sovereignty.