HHLA Announces Major Supervisory Board Changes with New Leadership and City Representatives

Marcus Vitt will become Chairman of HHLA's Supervisory Board effective October 1, 2025, succeeding Prof. Dr. Rudiger Grube who concludes his eight-year tenure on September 30, 2025. The transition represents a significant leadership change for Hamburg's port logistics giant, with Senator Dr. Andreas Dressel and Katharina Kriston also joining the supervisory body. These appointments follow the departure of current City of Hamburg representatives Andreas Rieckhof and Dr. Sibylle Roggencamp, creating a comprehensive restructuring of the board's composition.

Senator Dr. Melanie Leonhard, speaking on behalf of majority shareholder Port of Hamburg Beteiligungsgesellschaft (PoH), acknowledged Prof. Dr. Grube's successful leadership during eventful global times and HHLA's internal developments. She emphasized that Vitt brings financial expertise to his new role as Chairman, highlighting the importance of financial stewardship for the company's future direction. The appointments were made in agreement with the Nomination Committee of the HHLA Supervisory Board, with court-appointment applications for the three new members to be submitted shortly.

The HHLA Supervisory Board operates with twelve members divided equally between employee and shareholder representatives, following German Co-Determination Act regulations. The City of Hamburg and MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company each propose three Supervisory Board members, with the Chairman position traditionally filled by the City's nominee. This governance structure ensures balanced representation while maintaining strategic oversight for the logistics company's operations across its seaport terminals in Hamburg, Odessa, Tallinn, and Trieste.

These leadership changes occur as HHLA maintains its position as one of Europe's leading logistics companies, operating a comprehensive network with excellent hinterland connections and intermodal hubs throughout Central and Eastern Europe. The company's commitment to innovative technologies and sustainability remains central to its business model, positioning it as a crucial logistics and digital hub along future transport flows. The new leadership team will likely influence strategic decisions affecting international trade routes, digital transformation initiatives, and environmental sustainability practices within the European logistics sector.

The transition comes at a time when global supply chains face increasing complexity, making experienced leadership particularly valuable for navigating market fluctuations and operational challenges. Vitt's financial expertise suggests a focus on fiscal responsibility and strategic investments, while the new City representatives may bring fresh perspectives on public-private partnerships and regional development priorities. For more information about HHLA's operations and corporate structure, visit https://www.hhla.de/en.