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Sea & Coastal Freight Water Transport in Germany Industry Data and Analysis
The past five years have been characterised by great volatility and profound transformations for freight transport in maritime and coastal shipping in Germany. After a boom in 2021 and 2022, when freight rates reached record levels, the market normalised at the end of 2023 to a long-term normal level of around USD 2,000 per 40-foot container from China to Rotterdam. In 2024, the transport of fossil fuels remained a significant factor for freight transport in German maritime shipping. Imports of coal, crude oil and natural gas rose to 40.1 million tonnes, with crude oil and liquefied natural gas in particular recording significant growth. The geopolitically induced diversification of supply sources, such as increased imports from the USA or Norway, led to additional logistical challenges, which were overcome through modernisation and targeted fleet adjustments. At the same time, container throughput in German seaports rose to 13.3 million standard containers. Business with China as the main partner remained stable, while container trade with EU countries grew strongly. Investments in handling technology and digitalisation are expected to support this trend. Geopolitical tensions such as conflicts in the Red Sea led to delays and higher operating costs, as many routes had to be rerouted. Between 2021 and 2026, there will be an average annual decline in industry turnover of 3.6%.
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What's included in this industry analysis
IBISWorld's research coverage on the Sea & Coastal Freight Water Transport industry in Germany includes market sizing, forecasting, data and analysis from 2016-2031. The most recent publication was released February 2026.
About this industry
What's this industry report about?
The Sea & Coastal Freight Water Transport industry in Germany operates under the WZ industry code H50.20DE. The industry comprises cargo transport in maritime and coastal shipping. Its activities also include the leasing of the ships and crews required for this purpose, as well as the operation of tugboats and push boats. The industry definition does not include the operation of ports, cargo handling and the storage of goods. Pilotage services, the salvage of ships and the hire of ships without crew are also excluded. Related terms covered in the Sea & Coastal Freight Water Transport industry in Germany include revenue management department, mass goods, piece goods, twenty-foot equivalent unit (teu), feeder, coaster and frachtrate.
What's included in this industry?
Products and services covered in Sea & Coastal Freight Water Transport industry in Germany include Exclusive carriage of containers, Simultaneous transport of different types of goods and Other transport services.
What companies are included in this industry?
Companies covered in the Sea & Coastal Freight Water Transport industry in Germany include Hapag-Lloyd AG, Hamburg Süd A/S and Hartmann AG.
Performance
What's included in the Performance chapter?
The Performance chapter covers detailed analysis, datasets, detailed current performance, sources of volatility and an outlook with forecasts for the Sea & Coastal Freight Water Transport industry in Germany.
Questions answered in this chapter include what's driving current industry performance, what influences industry volatility, how do successful businesses overcome volatility, what's driving the industry outlook. This analysis is supported with data and statistics on industry revenues, costs, profits, businesses and employees.
Products & Markets
What's included in the Products and Markets chapter?
The Products and Markets chapter covers detailed products and service segmentation and analysis of major markets for the for the Sea & Coastal Freight Water Transport industry in Germany.
Questions answered in this chapter include how are the industry's products and services performing, what are innovations in industry products and services, what products or services do successful businesses offer and what's influencing demand from the industry's markets. This includes data and statistics on industry revenues by product and service segmentation and major markets.
Geographic Breakdown
What's included in the Geographic Breakdown chapter?
The Geographic Breakdown chapter covers detailed analysis and datasets on regional performance of the Sea & Coastal Freight Water Transport industry in Germany.
Questions answered in this chapter include where are industry businesses located and how do businesses use location to their advantage. This includes data and statistics on industry revenues by location.
Competitive Forces
What's included in the Competitive Forces chapter?
The Competitive Forces chapter covers the concentration, barriers to entry and supplier and buyer profiles in the Sea & Coastal Freight Water Transport industry in Germany. This includes data and statistics on industry market share concentration, barriers to entry, substitute products and buyer & supplier power.
Questions answered in this chapter include what impacts the industry's market share concentration, how do successful businesses handle concentration, what challenges do potential industry entrants face, how can potential entrants overcome barriers to entry, what are substitutes for industry services, how do successful businesses compete with substitutes and what power do buyers and suppliers have over the industry and how do successful businesses manage buyer & supplier power.
Companies
What's included in the Companies chapter?
The Companies chapter covers Key Takeaways, Market Share and Companies in the Sea & Coastal Freight Water Transport industry in Germany. This includes data and analysis on companies operating in the industry that hold a market share greater than 5%.
Questions answered in this chapter include what companies have a meaningful market share and how each company is performing.
External Environment
What's included in the External Environment chapter?
The External Environment chapter covers Key Takeaways, External Drivers, Regulation & Policy and Assistance in the Sea & Coastal Freight Water Transport industry in Germany. This includes data and statistics on factors impacting industry revenue such as economic indicators, regulation, policy and assistance programs.
Questions answered in this chapter include what demographic and macroeconomic factors impact the industry, what regulations impact the industry, what assistance is available to this industry.
Financial Benchmarks
What's included in the Financial Benchmarks chapter?
The Financial Benchmarks chapter covers Key Takeaways, Cost Structure, Financial Ratios, Valuation Multiples and Key Ratios in the Sea & Coastal Freight Water Transport industry in Germany. This includes financial data and statistics on industry performance including key cost inputs, profitability, key financial ratios and enterprise value multiples.
Questions answered in this chapter include what trends impact industry costs and how financial ratios have changed overtime.
Industry Data
What's included in the Industry Data chapter?
The Industry Data chapter includes 10 years of historical data with 5 years of forecast data covering statistics like revenue, industry value add, establishments, enterprises, employment and wages in the Sea & Coastal Freight Water Transport industry in Germany.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the market size of the Sea & Coastal Freight Water Transport industry in Germany in 2026?
The market size of the Sea & Coastal Freight Water Transport industry in Germany is €38.3bn in 2026.
How many businesses are there in the Sea & Coastal Freight Water Transport industry in Germany in 2026?
There are 445 businesses in the Sea & Coastal Freight Water Transport industry in Germany, which has declined at a CAGR of 1.2 % between 2021 and 2026.
How may import tariffs affect the Sea & Coastal Freight Water Transport industry in Germany?
The Sea & Coastal Freight Water Transport industry in Germany is unlikely to be materially impacted by import tariffs with imports accounting for a low share of industry revenue.
How may export tariffs affect the Sea & Coastal Freight Water Transport industry in Germany?
The Sea & Coastal Freight Water Transport industry in Germany is unlikely to be materially impacted by export tariffs with exports accounting for a low share of industry revenue.
Has the Sea & Coastal Freight Water Transport industry in Germany grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Sea & Coastal Freight Water Transport industry in Germany has been declining at a CAGR of 3.6 % between 2021 and 2026.
What is the forecast growth of the Sea & Coastal Freight Water Transport industry in Germany over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Sea & Coastal Freight Water Transport industry in Germany is expected to grow.
What are the biggest companies in the Sea & Coastal Freight Water Transport industry in Germany?
The biggest companies operating in the Sea & Coastal Freight Water Transport industry in Germany are Hapag-Lloyd AG, Hamburg Süd A/S and Hartmann AG
What does the Sea & Coastal Freight Water Transport industry in Germany include?
Exclusive carriage of containers and Simultaneous transport of different types of goods are part of the Sea & Coastal Freight Water Transport industry in Germany.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Sea & Coastal Freight Water Transport industry in Germany?
The company holding the most market share in the Sea & Coastal Freight Water Transport industry in Germany is Hapag-Lloyd AG.
How competitive is the Sea & Coastal Freight Water Transport industry in Germany?
The level of competition is high and increasing in the Sea & Coastal Freight Water Transport industry in Germany.
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