Search for new CEO for HHLA as Angela Titzrath announces departure

Photo: HHLA

Hamburg-headquartered stevedore and intermodal operator HHLA is on the hunt for a new chief executive, after announcing that Angela Titzrath is to leave the role at the end of the year.

Ms Titzrath has helmed Germany’s largest port operator for the past nine years, a period of considerable uncertainty, navigating the pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine – particularly challenging for HHLA, given that it operates Container Terminal Odessa – as well as running a company heavily dependent on the performance of the faltering German economy.

She was also a key figure in MSC’s recent acquisition of a 49.9% stake in her firm, an investment worth around €500m, which included both the acquisition of equity as well as a pledge of future investment to support HHLA’s development plans, including the enormously complex automation project at its flagship Burchardkai terminal in Hamburg.

According to HHLA, her departure was “by mutual agreement”.

HHLA chairman Rüdiger Grube said: “Angela Titzrath has decisively driven forward the development of the company into a European network logistics provider with strategic vision and personal commitment, and has successfully led HHLA through difficult phases such as the coronavirus pandemic and Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.

“She accompanied the recent changes in the shareholder structure with a great sense of responsibility.

“With a particular focus on international networking, digitalisation, and sustainability, she has provided key impetus – both for the competitiveness of the port of Hamburg and for the entire group of companies.

“On behalf of the supervisory board, I would like to thank Angela for her outstanding work and wish her all the best for her professional and personal future,” he added.

Under her tenure, more than €500m has been invested in modernising Hamburg’s container terminals, as well as completing the full takeover of the rail subsidiary, Metrans, and the expansion of the hinterland network from 10 to 21 terminals – a key attraction for MSC, as Loadstar Premium analysed.

She also orchestrated the acquisition of the TK terminal in Tallinn’s Muuga Port and the PLT facility in the Italian port of Trieste, creating a north-south North Sea-Adriatic European intermodal network.

“Logistics connects markets, people and perspectives,” Ms Titzrath said. “My goal was to strategically develop HHLA as a key player in a volatile and geopolitically sensitive environment, and to strengthen the value of the company.

“With the modernisation of the Hamburg terminals, the expansion of the intermodal business and strategic locations such as Tallinn and Trieste, we have positioned HHLA decisively in the competitive environment – in the service of our customers and in the interests of an efficient supply chain for companies and consumers throughout Europe,” she added.

Selection of her successor will be closely watched in Hamburg, as it is likely to reveal how much influence HHLA will bring to the port on a day-to-day basis. And while the city of Hamburg continues to hold the majority of voting rights, it will be fascinating to see if the world’s largest shipping line is in the driving seat.