Mobile Menu

Inland Passenger Water Transport in Germany - Market Research Report (2014-2029)

Veton Hoxhaj Veton Hoxhaj Frankfurt, Germany Last Updated: January 2024 WZ H50.30DE

Revenue

€494.8m

2024

€514.7m

Past 5-Year Growth

Profit

€XX.Xm

Employees

5,760

Businesses

376

Wages

€XXX.Xm

Inland Passenger Water Transport in Germany industry analysis

In recent years, the main growth drivers for the passenger transport sector in inland navigation have been river cruise ships and, to a lesser extent, pleasure boats. In both cases, the industry faces the challenge that the average age of the clientele is relatively high. However, it is certainly possible to appeal to younger customer groups, which the industry is increasingly trying to do. However, the industry's growth turned significantly negative in 2020 due to the pandemic. The German government was forced to significantly restrict public life in Germany, which also brought industry operations to a standstill, with the exception of the ferry segment. As a result, industry sales fell by 52.4% in 2020. In the current year, industry turnover should continue to recover from the pandemic and increase by 14.1% to EUR 494.8 million. This means that industry turnover has fallen by an average of 6.2% per year since 2018.The war in Ukraine has also had a negative impact on passenger transport on inland waterways. On the one hand, this is due to the migration of tourists from Russia and Ukraine. On the other hand, the high crude oil and marine diesel prices are having a negative impact on the industry, as inland shipping is dependent on fossil fuels. The high prices for crude oil and marine diesel are leading to higher material costs for industry players, which are partly reflected in higher fares. Extreme weather events such as periods of low water represent a further challenge for inland shipping. In Germany, low water phases have occurred more and more frequently in recent years, leading to timetable cancellations and capacity restrictions.For the period from 2023 to 2028, IBISWorld expects average annual growth of 4.9% and industry turnover of 627.8 million euros in 2028. A recovery will therefore occur. Among the companies in the sector, however, smaller pleasure boat operators in particular are likely to exit the market permanently. The number of smaller ferry operators is also falling. In contrast, there is likely to be growth in the number of industry players among river cruise operators. Market entries in this area could also involve subcontractors.

Trends and Insights

  • The biggest challenge for the industry is the more frequent occurrence of extreme weather events. During periods of low water, shipping traffic can come to a complete standstill for weeks in the worst case scenario.
  • The operation of river cruise ships generates the largest share of industry turnover. The two large companies Phoenix Reisen GmbH and A-Rosa Flussschiff GmbH dominate this segment.
  • The northern region accounts for the largest share of companies in the inland passenger shipping industry. This can be explained by the fact that northern Germany has a high density of rivers, waterways and canals, many of which lead to the sea.
  • The smaller industry players can focus on specific regions, target groups or needs. For example, regional ferry companies often offer connections to remote areas that are not served by the large shipping companies.

Access hundreds of analysis and data

  • Market estimates from 2014-2029
  • Critical performance data and rankings
  • Detailed analysis of competitive forces and the external environment
  • PDF report or online database with Word, Excel and PowerPoint export options
  • 100% money back guarantee

Industry Statistics and Trends

Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)

Industry revenue has declined at a CAGR of 6.2 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated €494.8m in 2024.

Trends and Insights

Increased extreme weather events pose a major challenge for the industry

  • The biggest challenge for the industry is the more frequent occurrence of extreme weather events. Although this also includes floods and icy waters, the biggest threat is the increasing frequency of low water phases due to climate change.
  • Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Inland Passenger Water Transport in Germany
Revenue (2014-2029)
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry outlook (2024-2029)

Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.

Trends and Insights

The future of river cruising depends on successful marketing strategies, outsourcing and additional sources of revenue

  • The future of the cruise industry depends on how well it can adopt successful marketing strategies from ocean cruise companies like AIDA. AIDA has turned the industry into a mass market business through eye-catching branding and family-friendly offers.

Biggest companies in the Inland Passenger Water Transport in Germany

Company
Market Share (%)
2023
Revenue (€m)
2023
Phoenix Reisen GmbH
140.0
A-Rosa Flussschiff GmbH
50.0
Köln-Düsseldorfer Deutsche Rheinschiffahrt GmbH
20.0

To view the market share and analysis for all 4 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.

Products & Services Segmentation

Inland Passenger Water Transport in Germany
Products & Services
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Operation of river cruise ships, Operation of ferries and Operation of pleasure craft. Operation of river cruise ships is the largest segment of the Inland Passenger Water Transport in Germany.

Trends and Insights

The operation of river cruise ships is gaining in importance and offers further growth potential

  • The operation of river cruise ships generates the largest share of industry turnover. A special feature of this segment is that it is very much dominated by the two large companies Phoenix Reisen GmbH and A-Rosa Flussschiff GmbH.
  • More insights available in the full report

Table of Contents

About this industry

Industry definition

This sector includes passenger transport by ship on rivers, canals, lakes and other inland waterways. Passenger transport within ports is also included in the industry definition. This also applies to the hire of pleasure boats with crew on inland waterways.

What's included in this industry?

Operation of river cruise shipsOperation of ferriesOperation of pleasure craft

Companies

Phoenix Reisen GmbHA-Rosa Flussschiff GmbHKöln-Düsseldorfer Deutsche Rheinschiffahrt GmbH

Purchase this report to view all 4 major companies in this industry.

Related Terms

REVENUE MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENTONBOARD CREDIT (OBC)LIQUEFIED NATURAL GAS (LNG)

Industry Code

WZ 2008

WZ 50.30 - Inland Passenger 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

The biggest challenge for the industry is the more frequent occurrence of extreme weather events. During periods of low water, shipping traffic can come to a complete standst...

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 (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
  • 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 operation of river cruise ships generates the largest share of industry turnover. The two large companies Phoenix Reisen GmbH and A-Rosa Flussschiff GmbH dominate this se...

In this chapter

  • Products & Services
  • Major Markets

Key metrics

  • Largest market segment and value in 2024
  • Product innovation level

Charts

  • Products & services segmentation in 2024
  • Major market segmentation in 2024

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 northern region accounts for the largest share of companies in the inland passenger shipping industry. This can be explained by the fact that northern Germany has a high ...

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 2024

Tables

  • Number and share of establishments in each region in 2024
  • Number and share of revenue each region accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of wages each region accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of employees in each region in 2024

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

The smaller industry players can focus on specific regions, target groups or needs. For example, regional ferry companies often offer connections to remote areas that are not...

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 2019-2024
  • 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

Phoenix Reisen GmbH has introduced a new online booking system for river and coastal cruises. The new functions are intended to strengthen customer loyalty and offer the poss...

In this chapter

  • Market Share Concentration
  • Companies
  • Company Spotlights

Charts

  • Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
  • Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024
  • Overview of Phoenix Reisen GmbH's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of A-Rosa Flussschiff GmbH's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of Köln-Düsseldorfer Deutsche Rheinschiffahrt GmbH's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for one additional company

Detailed analysis

  • Description and key data for Phoenix Reisen GmbH, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for A-Rosa Flussschiff GmbH, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for Köln-Düsseldorfer Deutsche Rheinschiffahrt GmbH, 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

The increasing occurrence of extreme weather events harbours the risk of high revenue losses for shipowners. At low tide, extremely high tide or icy waters, few or no ships c...

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 (2014-2029) 
  • Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 

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

The increased focus on additional services has led to an increase in personnel requirements. Process improvements and the use of subcontractors are intended to counteract thi...

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 2024
  • Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
  • Investment vs. share of economy

Data tables

  • Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • Average Wage (2014-2029)
  • Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
  • Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)

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 (2014-2029)
  • IVA (2014-2029)
  • Establishments (2014-2029)
  • Enterprises (2014-2029)
  • Employment (2014-2029)
  • Exports (2014-2029)
  • Imports (2014-2029)
  • Wages (2014-2029)

Top Questions Answered

Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.

What is the market size of the Inland Passenger Water Transport industry in Germany in 2024?

The market size of the Inland Passenger Water Transport industry in Germany is €494.8m in 2024.

How many businesses are there in the Inland Passenger Water Transport in Germany industry in 2024?

There are 376 businesses in the Inland Passenger Water Transport industry in Germany, which has declined at a CAGR of 3.4 % between 2019 and 2024.

Has the Inland Passenger Water Transport industry in Germany grown or declined over the past 5 years?

The market size of the Inland Passenger Water Transport industry in Germany has been declining at a CAGR of 6.2 % between 2019 and 2024.

What is the forecast growth of the Inland Passenger Water Transport industry in Germany over the next 5 years?

Over the next five years, the Inland Passenger Water Transport industry in Germany is expected to grow.

What are the biggest companies in the Inland Passenger Water Transport market in Germany?

The biggest companies operating in the Inland Passenger Water Transport market in Germany are Phoenix Reisen GmbH, A-Rosa Flussschiff GmbH and Köln-Düsseldorfer Deutsche Rheinschiffahrt GmbH

What does the Inland Passenger Water Transport in Germany include?

Operation of river cruise ships and Operation of ferries are part of the Inland Passenger Water Transport industry.

Which companies have the highest market share in the Inland Passenger Water Transport in Germany?

The company holding the most market share in Germany is Phoenix Reisen GmbH.

How competitive is the Inland Passenger Water Transport industry in Germany?

The level of competition is moderate and increasing in the Inland Passenger Water Transport industry in Germany.

Related Industries

Widen your competitive advantage with related industries

View all industries 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.