"We are seeing a stabilisation of the growth trend," Lappin said in an interview.
Hamburg-based HHLA ships containers in and out of Hamburg, Germany's largest port, and Odessa in Ukraine.
After stagnating at the beginning of the year, HHLA container handling volumes -- including at its Odessa port -- rose nearly 18 percent in the second quarter.
"Russia is back on an even footing and growing ...Transport with China is stable," said Lappin. "However it will take a while before we reach 2008 handling levels."
HHLA's was hit hard during the crisis due in particular to its exposure to the Baltic markets, but Lappin said he was optimistic about the region's prospects.
"The Baltic sea region has a good chance to reach the same level of significance as before the crisis and to continue to grow," said Lappin.
Lappin said there was over-capacity in all northern European ports, which had accentuated competition, and this was likely to remain the case "for a while to come".
The CFO reiterated HHLA's forecast for an EBIT (earnings before interest and tax) margin of at least 15 percent this year. (Reuters)
