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PortGraphic: Top-15 EU container ports in Q3 2025
By Theo Notteboom Following a strong recovery in 2024 after a challenging 2023, the first nine months of 2025 reveal a shift in growth dynamics across the top 15 EU container ports: Only three ports achieved double-digit growth: Gdansk leads with an impressive 21.7% increase, largely driven by the launch of its newest terminal at the Baltic Hub. Gioia Tauro continues its upward trajectory, fueled by MSC’s sustained investment and operations. Bremerhaven tops 10% growth and is expected to move from the seventh place in 2024 to the...
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Maritime transport in net zero
The maritime transport sector is not yet serious about decarbonisation. Policy targets remain vague regarding a commitment to full decarbonisation by 2050, while there is currently no prospect of replacing the existing fossil-fuelled fleet by this date. Even if this were likely, there is little prospect of the availability of sufficient alternative fuel to power these engines. It is becoming common to describe shipping, like aviation, as a ‘harder-to-abate’ sector (Energy Transitions Commission (ETC), 2018). Excuses are already in place,...
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Portgraphic: Top-15 EU container ports in H1 2025
Following the strong recovery of European container ports in 2024 after the turbulence of 2023, the first half of 2025 reveals a reshuffling of growth dynamics across the top 15 EU container ports. While overall volumes remain steady, the latest figures highlight significant regional divergences and notable winners. PortEconomics member Theo Notteboom analyses, the data shows both continuity and shifts in Europe’s container port hierarchy. ✅ Baltic Hub propels Gdansk to the topGdansk leads the European ranking in terms of...
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Portgraphic: fleet capacity (owned/chartered) of container shipping lines
By Theo Notteboom The global container shipping fleet has experienced significant growth over the past few decades, driven by the steady rise in international trade. Shipping lines have expanded their fleets either through organic growth—as in the case of MSC—or through a combination of organic growth and mergers & acquisitions, like Maersk. Today, the top 20 container carriers collectively operate a fleet (including both owned and chartered vessels) with a total capacity of 30 million TEU. Three years ago, this figure...
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In a tight spot: American ports in global supply chains
PortEconomics member Jean-Paul Rodrigue delivered a testimony in front of the Joint Economic Committee of the Congress of the United States, in Washington, DC. The hearing was on "Barriers to Supply Chain Modernisation and Factor Productivity Enhancements". Jean-Paul's contribution focused on the main barriers that North American ports, particularly container ports, are facing. He suggested a greater autonomy for port authorities with expanded governance. Many are landlords who may be required to act more as entrepreneurs.The full...
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Cruise industry in 2025 at a glance
By Thanos Pallis Having attended the most successful Posidonia Events Sea Tourism Forum 2025, I am pleased to share with PortEconomcs readers some extracts, personal perspectives & standout figures: 1️⃣ Strong forecasts for 42m Passengers by 2028 (Source: CLIA in Europe) - implies: > 200 million port passenger movements2️⃣ Innovative & brave initiatives by several cruise lines - so bad that the general public prefers stereotypes.3️⃣ Plenty of initiatives to enhance hashtag#sustainability - nice to see a...
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The box that makes the world go around: container terminals and global trade
Read a interting viewpoint titled "The Box that Makes the World Go Round: Container Terminals and Global Trade" by PortEconomics member Jean-Paul Rodrigue for Cornerstone, the annual report of the Hagler Institute for Advanced Study at Texas A&M University.Find the viewpoint here (page 38).
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Antwerp-Bruges surpasses Rotterdam in Q1 2025: a structural shift or short-term fluctuation?
In a remarkable turn of events, the port of Antwerp-Bruges has overtaken Rotterdam in container throughput during the first quarter of 2025. Antwerp-Bruges handled 3.4 million TEU, registering a year-on-year increase of 4.5%, while Rotterdam recorded 3.3 million TEU (+2.2%). PortEconomics member Theo Notteboom, reports: "This development marks the first time since 1966—the year the first container liner services arrived in Europe—that Rotterdam has not held the top spot among European container ports. Yet, the question...
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