Industry Statistics and Trends
Market size and recent performance (2016-2031)
Industry revenue has declined at a CAGR of 3.6 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated €38.3bn in 2026.
Trends and Insights
Fossil fuels are a significant driver of freight transport in German maritime shipping
- According to the Federal Statistical Office, the transport of fossil fuels via German seaports increased in 2024. Total imports of coal, crude oil and natural gas grew by 5.6% compared to 2023 and reached 40.1 million tonnes, following an increase of 5.3% in 2023 compared to 2022. Within this segment, the individual energy sources developed unevenly, as coal imports fell again by 8.0% to 6.7 million tonnes, while imports of crude oil increased by 9.7% to 28.5 million tonnes and natural gas (primarily liquefied natural gas) by 4.0% to 5.0 million tonnes.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Source: IBISWorld
Industry outlook (2026-2031)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
EU emissions trading and new climate regulations are likely to increase cost and investment pressure in the sector in future.
- The industry's entry into the EU Emissions Trading Scheme in 2024 led to a structural increase in the cost base. Since then, shipping companies have been faced with additional expenses for fuel and emission allowances, while the administrative burden for verification and processing has increased. This will make the cost structure more volatile, as it will be more dependent on the development of certificate prices and more complex reporting obligations in future.
Biggest companies in the Sea & Coastal Freight Water Transport in Germany
| Company | Market Share (%)
2026 | Revenue (€m)
2026 |
|---|---|---|
Hapag-Lloyd AG | 17,815.0 | |
Hamburg Süd A/S | 7,470.5 | |
Hartmann AG | 446.2 |
To view the market share and analysis for all 4 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.
Products & Services Segmentation
Source: IBISWorld
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Exclusive carriage of containers, Simultaneous transport of different types of goods and Other transport services. Exclusive carriage of containers is the largest segment of the Sea & Coastal Freight Water Transport in Germany.
Trends and Insights
Pure container ships are becoming increasingly popular on the market due to their practicality
- Only containers with a standard length of 20 or 40 feet are transported in this segment. The containers mostly contain general cargo.
- More insights available in the full report
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
The industry comprises cargo transport in maritime and coastal shipping. Its activities also include the leasing of the ships and crews required for this purpose, as well as the operation of tugboats and push boats. The industry definition does not include the operation of ports, cargo handling and the storage of goods. Pilotage services, the salvage of ships and the hire of ships without crew are also excluded.
What's included in this industry?
Products and services covered in the Sea & Coastal Freight Water Transport industry in Germany include Exclusive carriage of containers, Simultaneous transport of different types of goods and Operation of tankers.Companies
Companies covered in the Sea & Coastal Freight Water Transport industry in Germany include Hapag-Lloyd AG, Hamburg Süd A/S and Hartmann AG.Purchase this report to view all 4 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
Related terms covered in the Sea & Coastal Freight Water Transport industry in Germany include revenue management department, mass goods, piece goods, twenty-foot equivalent unit (teu), feeder, coaster and frachtrate.Industry Code
WZ 50.20 - Sea & Coastal Freight Water Transport in Germany
Performance
Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.
Analyst insights
Fossil fuels will remain the most important growth driver in German maritime shipping in 2026. Imports of crude oil and liquefied natural gas in particular will continue to i...
In this chapter (4)
- Current Performance
- Outlook
- Volatility
- Life Cycle
Key metrics
- Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
- Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
- Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
- Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business
Charts
- Revenue, including historical (2016-2025) and forecast (2026-2031)
- Employees, including historical (2016-2025) and forecast (2026-2031)
- Businesses, including historical (2016-2025) and forecast (2026-2031)
- Profit, including historical (2016-2026)
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
- Industry Life Cycle
Detailed analysis
- Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
- Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
- Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
- How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.
Products and Markets
Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.
Analyst insight
The majority of the industry's turnover is generated with the transport of goods by pure container ships. The main reasons for this are the ease of loading and unloading as w...
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2026
- Product innovation level
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2026
- Major market segmentation in 2026
Detailed analysis
- Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
- Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
- Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
- Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
Geographic Breakdown
Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.
Analyst insights
The availability of a seaport is the most important criterion for setting up a business. However, some industry players are also active in inland shipping.
In this chapter (1)
- Business Locations
Charts
- Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each region
- Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2026
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each region in 2026
- Number and share of revenue each region accounts for in 2026
- Number and share of wages each region accounts for in 2026
- Number and share of employees in each region in 2026
Detailed analysis
- Geographic spread of the industry across Europe, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
- Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage
Competitive Forces
Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.
Analyst insights
External competition for shipping companies comes primarily from air freight transport. Although this is associated with higher costs, it has speed advantages over sea freigh...
In this chapter (4)
- Concentration
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer & Supplier Analysis
Key metrics
- Industry concentration level
- Industry competition level and trend
- Barriers to entry level and trend
- Substitutes level and trend
- Buyer power level and trend
- Supplier power level and trend
Charts
- Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2021-2026
- Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart
Detailed analysis
- Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
- Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
- Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
- Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
- Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
- Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
- Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
- Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
- Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.
Companies
Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.
Analyst insights
Membership of alliances can provide competitive advantages. This gives shipowners access to a broader transport network and allows them to take on orders from partner compani...
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2022 through 2026
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2026
- Overview of Hapag-Lloyd AG's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2020 through 2026
- Overview of Hamburg Süd A/S's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2020 through 2026
- Overview of Hartmann AG's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2020 through 2026
- Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for one additional company
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for Hapag-Lloyd AG, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Hamburg Süd A/S, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Hartmann AG, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description, key data and performance trends for one additional company
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
Maritime shipping is increasingly being criticised for its high pollutant emissions. In view of growing environmental awareness, the industry is expected to tighten regulatio...
In this chapter
- External Drivers
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key metrics
- Regulation & policy level and trend
- Assistance level and trend
Charts
- Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2016-2031)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2016-2031)
Detailed analysis
- Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
- Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
- Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.
Financial Benchmarks
View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time.
Analyst insights
Leasing fees represent the largest item in the cost of materials. Although costs are also incurred in ocean freight shipping for the leasing of administrative buildings, the ...
In this chapter
- Cost Structure
- Financial Ratios
- Key Ratios
Key metrics
- Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
- Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
- Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
- Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio
Charts
- Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2026
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2026
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2016-2031)
- Revenue per Employee (2016-2031)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2016-2031)
- Employees per Establishment (2016-2031)
- Employees per Enterprise (2016-2031)
- Average Wage (2016-2031)
- Wages/Revenue (2016-2031)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2016-2031)
- IVA/Revenue (2016-2031)
- Imports/Demand (2016-2031)
- Exports/Revenue (2016-2031)
Detailed analysis
- Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2016-2031)
- IVA (2016-2031)
- Establishments (2016-2031)
- Enterprises (2016-2031)
- Employment (2016-2031)
- Exports (2016-2031)
- Imports (2016-2031)
- Wages (2016-2031)
Top Questions Answered
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the Sea & Coastal Freight Water Transport industry in Germany in 2026?
The market size of the Sea & Coastal Freight Water Transport industry in Germany is €38.3bn in 2026.
How many businesses are there in the Sea & Coastal Freight Water Transport industry in Germany in 2026?
There are 445 businesses in the Sea & Coastal Freight Water Transport industry in Germany, which has declined at a CAGR of 1.2 % between 2021 and 2026.
How may import tariffs affect the Sea & Coastal Freight Water Transport industry in Germany?
The Sea & Coastal Freight Water Transport industry in Germany is unlikely to be materially impacted by import tariffs with imports accounting for a low share of industry revenue.
How may export tariffs affect the Sea & Coastal Freight Water Transport industry in Germany?
The Sea & Coastal Freight Water Transport industry in Germany is unlikely to be materially impacted by export tariffs with exports accounting for a low share of industry revenue.
Has the Sea & Coastal Freight Water Transport industry in Germany grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Sea & Coastal Freight Water Transport industry in Germany has been declining at a CAGR of 3.6 % between 2021 and 2026.
What is the forecast growth of the Sea & Coastal Freight Water Transport industry in Germany over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Sea & Coastal Freight Water Transport industry in Germany is expected to grow.
What are the biggest companies in the Sea & Coastal Freight Water Transport industry in Germany?
The biggest companies operating in the Sea & Coastal Freight Water Transport industry in Germany are Hapag-Lloyd AG, Hamburg Süd A/S and Hartmann AG
What does the Sea & Coastal Freight Water Transport industry in Germany include?
Exclusive carriage of containers and Simultaneous transport of different types of goods are part of the Sea & Coastal Freight Water Transport industry in Germany.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Sea & Coastal Freight Water Transport industry in Germany?
The company holding the most market share in the Sea & Coastal Freight Water Transport industry in Germany is Hapag-Lloyd AG.
How competitive is the Sea & Coastal Freight Water Transport industry in Germany?
The level of competition is high and increasing in the Sea & Coastal Freight Water Transport industry in Germany.
Methodology
How are IBISWorld reports created?
IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.
Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.
IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.
What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
Key data sources in Germany include:
- German Federal Statistics Office (Destatis)
- European Statistics Office (Eurostat)
- United Nations Comtrade
Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.
These sources include:
- Industry and trade associations
- Industry federations or regulators
- Major industry players annual or quarterly filings
Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.
How does IBISWorld forecast its data?
IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.
IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.
Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.
