The Port of Hamburg has the world’s largest centre for trading and storing carpets. Hamburg is the leading European hub for imports, particularly from Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India. Germany is the leading market for hand-knotted carpets. Most of the goods reach the German market via the Port of Hamburg. Other European countries import a major part of their oriental rugs through the port, as well.
Around 60 trading companies – both large and small ones – are located in the historical warehouse area. Traders, most of them from Iran and Afghanistan, serve customers throughout the world from there. They ship their goods not only to other European countries, but even as far as America, New Zealand or Japan.
68,000 square metres of warehouse space is available in the historical “Speicherstadt” for these valuable products. Often the rugs are still hoisted up into the upper stories by winches, just like a hundred years ago.