- Gdańsk records the strongest growth in Europe.
- Southern hubs lose momentum as the centre of gravity shifts
- New challengers are rising fast toward the one-million-TEU mark
The Port of Gdańsk posted standout growth of 21.7% in Q3 2025, driven by the expanding Baltic Hub terminal and increased carrier commitments. Bremerhaven followed with a robust 14%, while Italy’s Gioia Tauro also showed healthy double-digit gains.
Hamburg, though not surging, maintained a steady upward trajectory, benefiting from improved hinterland connectivity and a more stable operational environment.
Southern Europe Loses Ground
The story was less positive for Valencia, Algeciras and Barcelona, where container volumes continued to soften. Shifting trade routes and the aftershocks of changing alliance strategies have worked against these southern gateways.
Marseille faces the biggest setback and is now expected to drop out of the Top 15, highlighting how fast the ranking dynamics are changing.
New Challengers are Closing In
Las Palmas emerged as one of the most notable risers with 15.7% growth, strengthening its status as a transhipment hub. Ports such as Wilhelmshaven, Koper, Gdynia and Constanța are approaching — and in some cases surpassing — the one-million-TEU milestone, reflecting a more diverse geographical spread of capacity and investment.
Why This Matters
The Q3 performance underlines a broader trend — European container trade is no longer defined by a handful of dominant hubs. Infrastructure upgrades, new terminals, and strategic carrier decisions are reshaping the map and redistributing traffic across emerging gateways.
Did you subscribe to our daily Newsletter?
It’s Free — Click here to Subscribe!
Source: Container News
