German Seaports See 2.3% Growth in 2024 but Lag Behind Pre-Pandemic Levels

While trade volumes increased, disparities in port performance and reliance on fossil fuel imports highlight ongoing challenges.

German seaports handled 274.0 million tons of goods in 2024, a 2.3% increase compared to 2023, reversing two years of decline.
Total trade volumes remained 6.7% below the pre-pandemic level of 293.5 million tons recorded in 2019.
Hamburg retained its position as the busiest port, handling 97.0 million tons despite a 2.6% decline, while Wilhelmshaven and Bremerhaven saw significant growth of 15.7% and 8.6%, respectively.
The United States solidified its role as Germany's top trading partner, with a 6.7% increase in trade volume, driven largely by fossil fuel imports, which grew by 5.6%.
Calls for infrastructure investment continue to grow, as container throughput rose by 4.9% but remained below 2019 levels, and regional disparities in port performance persist.