- German Inland Waterway Freight Transport Lowest Since Unification
- Total Freight Volume Decreased by 5.9% Compared to Previous Year
- Sharp Decline in Coal Transport and Imports from Foreign Ports
Wiesbaden, Germany — The German inland waterway transport sector witnessed a significant downturn in 2023, as reported by the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis). The total volume of goods transported on German inland waterways reached a new all-time low since the country’s unification in 1990, with only 172 million tons of goods moved, down from 182 million tons in 2022. This represents a 5.9% decrease compared to the previous year.
Amid a weak economic climate, the freight volume in inland waterway transport has fallen by 25.9% since 1990 and 16.3% since 2019, the year before the crisis. This decline underscores the challenges faced by the sector in recent years.
One of the most significant drops was seen in coal transport, which plunged by 27.9%. This decline is indicative of broader shifts in energy sources and consumption patterns, reflecting both environmental policy changes and market trends.
Additionally, there was a noticeable decrease in the volume of goods received from foreign ports, which fell by 9.0%. This reduction further contributes to the overall decline in freight volume, pointing to changes in international trade dynamics and possibly to shifts in supply chain strategies.
The continuous decline in Germany’s inland waterway freight transport highlights the structural and economic challenges faced by the sector. With this historic low, there is a growing need for strategic adjustments to adapt to changing market demands and environmental policies.
In summary, the inland waterway freight transport sector in Germany is experiencing unprecedented challenges, marked by a significant decrease in overall freight volume, especially in coal transport and imports from foreign ports. The sector’s future direction will likely involve adapting to evolving economic conditions and environmental regulations.
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