Cargo turnover at harbors at decade low - Rhineland-Palatinate’s ports hit decade-low cargo volumes in 2025 slump
Ports in Rhineland-Palatinate have recorded their weakest cargo performance in a decade. In the first nine months of 2025, total volumes dropped by 5% compared to the same period last year. The decline reflects broader struggles in goods movement across the region's waterways.
Between January and September 2025, the ports handled just 13.6 million tons of cargo. This marks a 5% fall from the previous year and the lowest figure since 2015. The sharpest drop came in outbound shipments, which plunged by 9.3% to 5.6 million tons.
Inbound cargo also shrank, though less severely, with a 1.7% decline to 8.1 million tons. Some sectors bucked the trend: vehicle handling rose by 13.5%, reaching 236,000 tons. Chemical products saw a modest increase of 2.2%, totalling 3.3 million tons. The steepest collapse occurred in machinery, equipment, and household appliances. Volumes in this category nosedived by 75.1%, falling to around 46,000 tons. No single cause or responsible party has been identified for the overall downturn.
The latest figures confirm a prolonged slump in Rhineland-Palatinate's port activity. With outbound cargo suffering the most, the region's trade flows face mounting pressure. Only a few sectors, like vehicles and chemicals, have managed to grow against the downward trend.
