HHLA Announces New Supervisory Board Leadership with Marcus Vitt as Chairman

Marcus Vitt is set to become the Chairman of HHLA's Supervisory Board effective October 1, 2025, succeeding Prof. Dr. Rudiger Grube who will depart on September 30, 2025. This leadership change represents a pivotal moment for HHLA's corporate governance structure and strategic direction. Senator Dr. Andreas Dressel and Katharina Kriston are also joining the Supervisory Board, creating a new leadership team that will shape the company's future decisions and oversight.

The transition comes at a critical time for HHLA, one of Europe's leading logistics companies operating seaport terminals in Hamburg, Odessa, Tallinn, and Trieste. Senator Dr. Melanie Leonhard, speaking on behalf of HHLA's majority shareholder Port of Hamburg Beteiligungsgesellschaft (PoH), acknowledged Prof. Dr. Grube's eight-year tenure during which he guided the company through numerous important processes during globally eventful times. The appointment of Marcus Vitt, an expert in finance and current Chairman of the Hamburg Stock Exchange Council, signals a strategic focus on financial stewardship and market positioning.

Alongside Prof. Dr. Grube's departure, current City of Hamburg representatives Andreas Rieckhof and Dr. Sibylle Roggencamp are also stepping down from the Supervisory Board. The new 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 website provides information about the company's operations and strategic focus areas.

The composition of HHLA's Supervisory Board follows German co-determination principles, consisting of twelve members with equal representation from employees and shareholders. The six employee representatives are determined according to the German Co-Determination Act regulations, while the City of Hamburg and MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company each propose three Supervisory Board members, with the Chair proposed by the City. This governance structure ensures balanced representation while maintaining the City's influence through the chairman position.

The leadership change matters significantly because it occurs within a company that serves as a crucial logistics and digital hub along future transport flows, with business models based on innovative technologies and sustainability commitments. The appointment of financial expert Marcus Vitt suggests a strengthened focus on financial performance and strategic investments during a period of global economic uncertainty and transformation in the logistics industry. The new leadership team will need to navigate challenges including digital transformation, supply chain disruptions, and sustainability requirements while maintaining HHLA's position as a European logistics leader.