Enlargement of Lower Saxony's Sea Ports - Increased Volume of Containers and Merchandise - Containers and goods at Lower Saxony's seaports experience an elevated growth rate
Lower Saxony's Seaports See Significant Growth in First Half of 2025
Lower Saxony's nine seaports have experienced a notable increase in cargo volume in the first half of 2025. The total throughput volume rose by 4% to 27.7 million tons compared to the same period in 2024, according to the marketing organization Seaports of Lower Saxony.
Container Traffic Booms
The most remarkable increase was seen in container traffic. The total number of standard containers (TEU) handled more than doubled in the first half of 2025 compared to 2024. A strong container boom was observed, with 664,685 TEU handled.
General and Bulk Cargo Growth
General cargo and bulk cargo together contributed to the overall growth. They accounted for a 4% increase in throughput volume, continuing the positive trend from a 10% rise in 2024.
Vehicle Handling Remains Key
Vehicle handling remains a significant segment, particularly at the port of Emden, which has a traditionally strong automotive transshipment presence. This supports the diversified growth of the port group.
Individual Port Performance
Each of the nine ports—Brake, Cuxhaven, Emden, Leer, Nordenham, Oldenburg, Papenburg, Stade, and Wilhelmshaven—serves different market niches. For instance, Wilhelmshaven is a special deep-water port, while Cuxhaven is prominent in RoRo (roll-on/roll-off) traffic, which includes vehicle transport. Notably, Cuxhaven saw a 61% increase in cargo volume.
Overall Development
Despite global market challenges, the overall development in Lower Saxony’s seaports reflects a positive picture. Container traffic, general and bulk cargo throughput, and vehicle handling have all shown robust increases. The port group continues to demonstrate resilience and adaptability in the face of market challenges.
[1] Data sourced from the Seaports of Lower Saxony's report on the first half of 2025.
Community aid could be directed towards supporting the development of the fisheries sector within Lower Saxony's seaports, as their economic growth has been significant, with a 4% increase in throughput volume in the first half of 2025. This growth, particularly in container traffic, is an indication of a thriving industry that could benefit from enhanced finance and resources.
The growth in Lower Saxony's seaports also presents an opportunity for development in the transportation sector, as the increase in container traffic indicates a rise in international trade. This could lead to the need for improved infrastructure and logistics, which could be aided by private sector investment in the business sector.
