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Containers and goods at Lower Saxony's seaports experience an elevated growth rate

Expanded sea port activity in Lower Saxony, marked by a rise in container and goods transport

Expansion of container and cargo shipments observed in Lower Saxony's harbors
Expansion of container and cargo shipments observed in Lower Saxony's harbors

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.

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