What HHLA Next does

HHLA Next GmbH is the corporate venture-building and innovation unit of Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG (HHLA), one of Europe's largest port logistics groups. Founded in 2021 and headquartered in Hamburg, the company operates three explicit pillars: Build (internally developing new products and spinning them off), Connect (bridging HHLA's core operations with the external logistics startup ecosystem), and Invest (taking equity stakes in external startups). As of the latest disclosures, the portfolio comprises 5 built ventures, 4 direct equity investments, and 33 indirect investments accessed through Limited Partner commitments to maritime-focused VC funds (Motion Ventures, theDOCK, Trail Mix Ventures).

The build ventures address discrete operational bottlenecks in maritime logistics: heyport is a SaaS platform for port call and berth planning with satellite-based vessel tracking and automatic schedule synchronization across 150+ liner carriers; HHLA Sky provides a Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) drone fleet management platform with an IEC 62443-certified Integrated Control Center; passify is a multi-factor authentication mobile app that has replaced physical trucker cards for gate access at HHLA's three Hamburg container terminals; hubload builds and operates e-truck charging infrastructure at logistics hubs; and RailSync digitizes intermodal train coordination. Direct equity investments target autonomous container handling (iSAM), drone-based inspection and AR/VR (Spherie), and container depot digitization (Survey Compass), with FERNRIDE being a notable direct investment focused on teleoperation-assisted autonomous yard trucking.

The business model combines intra-group revenue from HHLA's own terminal deployments with external enterprise sales to other terminal operators (notably Marsa Maroc's five terminals in Casablanca) and logistics providers. Portfolio revenue is generated through software licensing (heyport, RailSync), hardware sales (HHLA Sky drones), transaction/per-use fees (passify), and infrastructure services (hubload). Go-to-market is enterprise sales-led, with international expansion of portfolio companies enabled through partnerships with terminal operators and logistics providers. The entity is privately held with no public revenue disclosure, and operates with a small core team (11–50 employees) that orchestrates venture development, investment decisions, and ecosystem partnerships rather than building all product capabilities in-house.

Name

HHLA Next

Legal name

HHLA Next GmbH

Website

https://hhla-next.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

HHLA Next GmbH is the corporate venture-building and innovation unit of Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG (HHLA), building and investing in startups that digitalize and decarbonize maritime logistics, including port call planning, drone fleets, truck gate access, e-truck charging, and autonomous yard trucking.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Maritime Logistics Technology

NAICS

Support Activities for Transportation (488), Freight Transportation Arrangement (488510), Freight Transportation Arrangement (48851), Marine Cargo Handling (48832)

SIC

Arrangement Of Transportation Of Freight & Cargo (4731)

akta.pro primary industry

Rail Terminal Drayage Coordination & Staging Operations (TLAJAFAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

Trade Compliance & Ocean Regulatory Services (Sanctions/Export Controls) (TLACABAL)

Keywords

• Maritime logistics innovation
• Port digitalization software
• Venture building logistics
• Drone fleet management
• Terminal automation solutions

Headquarters

HQ city

Hamburg

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Revenue model

1. Venture Building and Investment Returns: HHLA Next builds and invests in startups, generating returns through equity participation and eventual exits. Portfolio includes 5 built ventures, 4 direct investments, and 33 indirect investments through funds like Motion Ventures.
2. Portfolio Company Revenue: Portfolio companies generate revenue through software licensing (heyport, RailSync), hardware sales (HHLA Sky drones), transaction fees (passify), and infrastructure services (hubload).

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

HHLA Next GmbH is the innovation and venture-building unit of Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG (HHLA). It operates three pillars: Build (5 internally developed ventures including heyport port call optimization software, HHLA Sky drone fleet management, hubload e-truck charging infrastructure, passify truck access authentication, and RailSync intermodal train coordination), Connect (partnerships with technology providers and logistics ecosystem), and Invest (4 direct and 33 indirect investments in maritime logistics startups via funds like Motion Ventures, theDOCK, and Trail Mix Ventures). Portfolio companies gain live operational testing at HHLA terminals.

Product overview

HHLA Next is the innovation and venture-building unit of Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG. The company operates three core initiative types: BUILD ventures (5 internally developed products: heyport for port call optimization, HHLA Sky for drone fleet management, hubload for e-truck charging infrastructure, passify for truck access authentication, RailSync for intermodal train coordination), DIRECT INVESTMENTS in portfolio companies (iSAM AG for autonomous container handling, Spherie for AR/VR and inspection services, Survey Compass for depot services), and INDIRECT INVESTMENTS through venture capital funds (Motion Ventures, theDOCK, Trail Mix Ventures). The company focuses exclusively on maritime logistics innovation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• heyport: Software solution for optimizing communication and coordination of port calls, connecting shipping companies, terminals and port authorities.
• HHLA Sky
• hubload
• passify
• RailSync
• iSAM
• Spherie
• Survey Compass

Products and services

• heyport Digital platform for optimizing port call communication and coordination, connecting shipping companies, terminals, and port authorities through satellite-based vessel tracking, weather and tide forecasts, and automatic schedule synchronization with over 150 liner carriers.
• HHLA Sky Scalable drone management platform for industrial Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations, including the X4 industrial drone and an Integrated Control Center certified per IEC 62443 that can manage 100-200 drones simultaneously globally.
• hubload Builds and operates charging infrastructure for electric trucks at logistics hubs, enabling climate-friendly goods transportation.
• passify Mobile application for truck driver gate access authentication at terminals and depots, using multi-factor authentication to simplify and secure entry without physical infrastructure; ISPS Code compliant.
• RailSync Web-based platform connecting all parties at intermodal terminals, providing centralized information basis for planning and control data with slot management and communication features for terminal operators, railway companies, infrastructure companies, and shunting service providers.

Quantifiable outcome

• 90% reduction in manual communication at Marsa Maroc terminals
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability8 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Digital Hub Logistics & Commerce HamburgcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHHLA Next supports the Digital Hub Logistics & Commerce as a sponsor, expanding interfaces in the logistics startup ecosystem. Julian Kakarott, CEO of Digital Hub Logistics & Commerce Hamburg, provided endorsement testimonial.
• Artificial Intelligence Center Hamburg e.V. (ARIC)coreTechnology or IntegrationHHLA Next collaborates with ARIC on all AI-related topics. ARIC is the AI center of excellence for Hamburg, supporting HHLA Next's technology development in artificial intelligence.
• HPC Hamburg Port ConsultingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHPC collaborated on the Global Port Trends report on automation and digital innovation alongside FERNRIDE, passify, and heyport with support from HHLA Next.
• Hochschule OsnabrückminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOsnabrück University of Applied Sciences collaborated with HHLA Sky and Third Element to develop the X4 automated industrial drone.
• Third Element AviationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with HHLA Sky and Hochschule Osnabrück to develop the X4 automated industrial drone.
• Koerschulte GroupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGermany's first fully automated drone delivery service operator. HHLA Sky supports their drone operations with its Integrated Control Center.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Konecranes: Konecranes is a global leader in port crane automation and container handling equipment with a growing digital services portfolio. It is comparable to HHLA Next's iSAM-related container handling automation offerings.
• Wärtsilä Marine: Wärtsilä is a maritime technology incumbent offering vessel and port-side optimization, smart voyage, and decarbonization solutions. It addresses the same port efficiency and emissions-reduction themes as heyport and hubload.
• ABB Marine & Ports: ABB Marine & Ports is a global incumbent providing automation, electrification, and digital solutions to ports and ships. It overlaps with HHLA Next's iSAM investment and FERNRIDE autonomous trucking focus.
• Kongsberg Maritime: Kongsberg Maritime provides integrated ship and port automation, autonomous vessel technology, and digital twin solutions. It is comparable to HHLA Next's FERNRIDE autonomous trucking and iSAM automation focus.
• Navis (Accel-KKR): Navis is a dominant terminal operating system (N4) used by major global container terminals. It competes broadly with HHLA Next's port operations software (heyport, passify) as the incumbent platform of record in maritime logistics IT.
• Tideworks Technology: Tideworks provides terminal operating systems and port logistics software to container terminals and intermodal operators worldwide. It is a broad incumbent serving the same customer base as HHLA Next's heyport and RailSync.
• DP World (Innovation / Cargoes): DP World is a global port operator actively building digital products, automation, and sustainability initiatives across its terminals. It is a broad incumbent comparable to HHLA Next's parent-anchored model of port-software development and deployment.

Direct peers

• Portchain: Portchain is a direct peer to heyport, providing cloud-based port call and berth optimization software for container terminals and shipping lines. It is the closest competing product to HHLA Next's heyport in the port-call coordination niche.
• Maersk Growth: Maersk Growth is the corporate venture arm of A.P. Moller-Maersk investing in and building logistics and maritime technology startups. It is a direct peer to HHLA Next as a corporate venture builder in maritime logistics.
• DHL Innovation Center: DHL's innovation arm develops and pilots logistics technologies (robotics, automation, sustainable transport) and runs accelerator programs. It is a direct peer to HHLA Next as a logistics corporate venture builder.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hhla-next

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments2 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about HHLA Next