Industry Statistics and Trends
Inland Freight Water Transport in Europe key trends
Germany and the Netherlands dominate inland waterway freight transport.
Inland freight water transport is dominated by Germany and the Netherlands thanks to their extensive waterway infrastructure.
Inland waterway freight transport volumes struggles-post pandemic.
The EU inland freight water transport industry has succumbed to intense competition from road freight and has struggled to recover from pandemic lows.
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Inland Freight Water Transport in Europe
Industry Revenue
Total value and annual change from 2011-2029. Includes 5-year outlook.
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Inland Freight Water Transport in Europe market size (2019-2024)
Industry revenue has declined at a CAGR of 8.3 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated €6.9bn in 2024.
Trends and Insights
Inland waterway freight transport volumes fluctuate considerably in the lead-up to the pandemic
- According to Eurostat, between 2012 and 2020, activity in inland waterway freight transport was highly volatile, exhibiting a downward trend mainly because of fierce competition from road freight.
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Inland Freight Water Transport in Europe outlook (2024-2029)
Market size is projected to decline over the next five years.
Major companies will continue upgrading and modernising inland freight water vessels
- Major players in the industry are constantly looking to upgrade and enhance their vessel portfolio to boost the accessibility, efficiency and convenience of inland freight transport.
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Revenue
€6.9bn
Employees
17,745
Wages
€XXX.Xm
European Leaders & Laggards
Top 5 Countries
- Sweden +13.5%
- Italy +0.1%
- Denmark -1.2%
- Austria -1.2%
- Netherlands -1.2%
Bottom 5 Countries
- United Kingdom -14.4%
- Bosnia & Herzegovina -4.2%
- Germany -2.8%
- Slovakia -2.7%
- Switzerland -2.6%
* CAGR values are for the years 2019-2024.
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Biggest companies in the Inland Freight Water Transport in Europe
| Company | Market Share (%)
2024 | Revenue (€m)
2024 | Profit (€m)
2024 | Profit Margin (%)
2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Hafen und Guterverkehr Koln (HGK) Shipping GmbH | 451.5 | 8.8 | 1.9 | |
AP Moller - Maersk A/S | 103,733.0 | 31,119.9 | 30.0 | |
Rhenus SE & Co KG | 9,659.5 | 378.6 | 3.9 |
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Inland Freight Water Transport in Europe
Products & Services Segmentation
Industry revenue broken down by key product and services lines.
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Top Questions Answered in this Report
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What is the market size of the Inland Freight Water Transport industry in Europe in 2024?
The market size of the Inland Freight Water Transport industry in Europe is €6.9bn in 2024.
How many businesses are there in the Inland Freight Water Transport in Europe industry in 2024?
There are 5,901 businesses in the Inland Freight Water Transport industry in Europe, which has declined at a CAGR of 1.8 % between 2019 and 2024.
Has the Inland Freight Water Transport industry in Europe grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Inland Freight Water Transport industry in Europe has been declining at a CAGR of 8.3 % between 2019 and 2024.
What is the forecast growth of the Inland Freight Water Transport industry in Europe over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Inland Freight Water Transport industry in Europe is expected to decline.
What does the Inland Freight Water Transport in Europe include?
International transport and National transport are part of the Inland Freight Water Transport industry.
Which countries have the most businesses in the Inland Freight Water Transport industry in Europe?
The European country with the most businesses in the Inland Freight Water Transport industry is Netherlands.
How competitive is the Inland Freight Water Transport industry in Europe?
The level of competition is moderate and steady in the Inland Freight Water Transport industry in Europe.
Related Industries
This industry is covered in 37 countries
- Inland Freight Water Transport in Greece
- Inland Freight Water Transport in Russia
- Inland Freight Water Transport in Czechia
- Inland Freight Water Transport in Italy
- Inland Freight Water Transport in Finland
- Inland Freight Water Transport in Slovenia
- Inland Freight Water Transport in Austria
- Inland Freight Water Transport in Romania
- Inland Freight Water Transport in Slovakia
- Inland Freight Water Transport in Belgium
- Inland Freight Water Transport in Switzerland
- Inland Freight Water Transport in Europe
- Inland Freight Water Transport in Spain
- Inland Freight Water Transport in France
- Inland Freight Water Transport in Norway
- Inland Freight Water Transport in Denmark
- Inland Freight Water Transport in Poland
- Inland Freight Water Transport in Croatia
- Inland Freight Water Transport in Bulgaria
- Inland Freight Water Transport in Portugal
- Inland Freight Water Transport in the Netherlands
- Inland Freight Water Transport in Serbia
- Inland Freight Water Transport in Hungary
- Inland Freight Water Transport in Sweden
- Inland Freight Water Transport in Bosnia & Herzegovina
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
Companies in this industry transport freight via rivers, canals, lakes and other inland waterways, including inside harbours and ports. The rental of vessels with crew for inland freight water transport is also included in the industry, though the rental of commercial ships or boats without crew is industry-related.
Related Terms
FREIGHT RATES MODAL SHIFT TECHNICAL RECESSIONWhat's included in this industry?
International transport National transportTransit transportCompanies
Hafen und Guterverkehr Koln (HGK) Shipping GmbHAP Moller - Maersk A/SRhenus SE & Co KGIndustry Code
5022 - Inland freight water transport in Europe
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Performance
Key Takeaways
Inland waterway freight transport volumes fluctuate considerably in the lead-up to the pandemic
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Revenue Highlights
Trends
- Revenue
- 2024 Revenue Growth
- Revenue Volatility
Employment Highlights
Trends
- Employees
- Employees per Business
- Revenue per Employee
Business Highlights
Trends
- Businesses
- Employees per Business
- Revenue per Business
Profit Highlights
Trends
- Total Profit
- Profit Margin
- Profit per Business
Current Performance
Charts
- Revenue in the Inland Freight Water Transport in Europe industry (2011 -2029)
- Employees in the Inland Freight Water Transport in Europe industry (2011 -2029)
- Business in the Inland Freight Water Transport in Europe industry (2011 -2029)
- Profit in the Inland Freight Water Transport in Europe industry (2011 -2029)
Analysis
What's driving current industry performance in the Inland Freight Water Transport in Europe industry?
Outlook
Analysis
What's driving the Inland Freight Water Transport in Europe industry outlook?
Volatility
Analysis
What influences volatility in the Inland Freight Water Transport in Europe industry?
Charts
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth Matrix
Life Cycle
Analysis
What determines the industry life cycle stage in the Inland Freight Water Transport in Europe industry?
Charts
- Industry Life Cycle Matrix
Products and Markets
Highlights
Trends
- Largest Market
- Product Innovation
Key Takeaways
Countries like Germany and Belgium rely on international freight water transport. The Netherlands, Germany, Romania and Belgium engage in substantial international inland freight transport thanks to their extensive waterway infrastructure, inflating the European share of international transport.
Products and Services
Charts
- Products and Services Segmentation
Analysis
How are the Inland Freight Water Transport in Europe industry's products and services performing?
Analysis
What are innovations in the Inland Freight Water Transport in Europe industry's products and services?
Major Markets
Charts
- Major Market Segmentation
Analysis
What influences demand in the Inland Freight Water Transport in Europe industry?
International Trade
Highlights
- Largest Importer
- Smallest Importer
- Total Imports into Europe
- Largest Exporter
- Smallest Exporter
- Total Exports into Europe
Heat maps
- Industry Concentration of Imports by Country
- Industry Concentration of Exports by Country
Data Tables
Value and annual change (%) included
- Number of Imports and Exports by European Country (2024)
Geographic Breakdown
Business Locations
Heat maps
- Share of Total Industry Revenue by Region (2024)
- Share of Total Industry Enterprises by Region (2024)
- Share of Total Industry Employment by Region (2024)
- Share of Total Industry Wages by Region (2024)
Industry Geographic Breakdown
Data Tables
Values and annual change provided for 37 European countries:
- Revenue (2024)
- IVA (2024)
- Enterprises (2024)
- Employment (2024)
- Exports (2024)
- Imports (2024)
Competitive Forces
Highlights
Trends
- Concentration
- Competition
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer Power
- Supplier Power
Key Takeaways
The industry's high and geographical barriers limit market share concentration. Because of the vast number of inland waterways in Europe, it is difficult for one company to capture a substantial market share.
Supply Chain
Charts
Buyer and supply industries
Companies
Market Share
Charts
- Industry Market Share by Company (2019-2024)
Companies
Data Tables
Top 10 companies by market share:
- Market share (2024)
- Revenue (2024)
- Profit (2024)
- Profit Margin (2024)
Data Tables
- Countries of operation for Hafen und Guterverkehr Koln (HGK) Shipping GmbH
- Countries of operation for AP Moller - Maersk A/S
- Countries of operation for Rhenus SE & Co KG
- Countries of operation for DFDS Group
- Countries of operation for Gefo Gesellschaft für Oeltransporte mbH
- Countries of operation for CMA CGM SA
- Countries of operation for Interstream Barging Vegoil BV
- Countries of operation for Repsol Trading SA
- Countries of operation for Grimaldi Group SpA
- Countries of operation for GPS Marine Contractors Ltd
External Environment
Highlights
Trends
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key Takeaways
Companies must adhere to regulations related to vessel specifications in Europe. Directive (EU) 2016/1629 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 September 2016 lays down technical requirements for inland waterway vessels.
External Drivers
Analysis
What demographic and macroeconomic factors impact the Inland Freight Water Transport in Europe industry?
Financial Benchmarks
Highlights
Trends
- Profit Margin
- Average Wage
- Largest Cost
Key Takeaways
Inflationary pressure and low freight volumes weigh on profit. Many companies have seen their revenue dip as customers switch to quicker modes of transport, like road and rail, intensifying price competition.
Cost Structure
Charts
- Share of Economy vs. Investment Matrix
-
Industry Cost Structure Benchmarks:
- Marketing
- Depreciation
- Profit
- Purchases
- Wages
- Rent
- Utilities
- Other
Analysis
What trends impact cost in the Inland Freight Water Transport in Europe industry?
Key Ratios
Data tables
- IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
- Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
- Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
- Average Wage (2014-2029)
Country Benchmarks
European Leaders & Laggards
Data Tables
Top and boottom five countries listed for each:
- Revenue Growth (2024)
- Business Growth (2024)
- Job Growth (2024)
European Country Performance
Data Tables
Rankings available for 37 countries. Statistics ranked include:
- IVA/Revenue (2024)
- Imports/Demand (2024)
- Exports/Revenue (2024)
- Revenue per Employee (2024)
- Wages/Revenue (2024)
- Employees per Establishment (2024)
- Average Wage (2024)
Structural Comparison
Data Tables
Trends in 37 countries benchmarked against trends in Europe
- Concentration
- Competition
- Barriers to Entry
- Buyer Power
- Supplier Power
- Volatility
- Capital Intensity
- Innovation
- Life Cycle
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2014-2029)
- IVA (2014-2029)
- Establishments (2014-2029)
- Enterprises (2014-2029)
- Employment (2014-2029)
- Exports (2014-2029)
- Imports (2014-2029)
- Wages (2014-2029)
Methodology
Where does IBISWorld source its data?
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Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and IBISWorld's proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
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