A report published by Actia Forum as part of its Port Monitor series - “The annual results of the largest European container ports in 2024” - showed that Europe's container ports experienced a marked recovery in 2024, rebounding after declines in 2023. Europe's ten largest container ports handled nearly 65 million TEUs in 2024, an increase of 5.8% compared to 2023. The growth was driven by a combination of increased demand, strategic rerouting of shipping lanes, and significant investments in fleet and port infrastructure.

The Port of Rotterdam, the largest container port in Europe, handled 13,820,000 TEUs, a 2.8% increase compared to 2023. The turnover of containerized cargo also increased to 133.4 million tonnes (+2.5%). The growth in the container segment can be attributed to increased European consumption. Wage indexation and declining inflation led to higher disposable income and increased demand for consumer goods and food. Despite the global situation, the port has demonstrated good management adapted to the market to maintain its competitive position, and started investing. The major investments in 2024 included the continued development of quay walls for container terminal expansion in Prinses Amaliahaven (€42.5 million). Additionally, new agreements for the use of shore power have been signed with container terminals on the Maasvlakte.

The Port of Antwerp-Bruges experienced an 8.2% increase in container handling, with tonnage rising by 8.9% more to 149 million tonnes. In 2024, the port handled 13,532,436 TEUs, around 1 million more than in 2023. Temperature-controlled cargo (reefer containers) performed particularly well, with a 9.2% growth, accounting for 8.6% of total container traffic. The fourth quarter saw an impressive 12.5% increase in TEUs compared to the same period in 2023. Starting in January 2024, the port was ready to welcome the largest container ships with a draft of 16 m in the Deurganck dock. The first container giant – the Ever Greet- called at the port in July 2024 with a draft of 16.3 m, breaking the previous draft record. Before calling to the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, the ship stopped in Zeebrugge to unload 400 TEUs in order to reduce the ship’s draft.

The third largest port in Europe is the Port of Hamburg. In 2024, container turnover increased by 1.5% to 7.8 million TEUs. The positive trend in container traffic with the USA continued in 2024 (marking a 5% increase), while container throughput with China recovered (growing by 0.7%). Loaded containers, crucial to the value chain, made up approximately 87% of the 2024 volume, highlighting the port as a reliable partner and a strong link in the global logistics chain. The forecast for 2025 for this port is optimistic - February saw the launch of a North and South America service by shipping lines CMA CGM and ONE, along with an India service operated by the Gemini Alliance. Overall, in 2024 the Spanish container ports noted an increase in the turnover.

Spanish container ports accelerate development

The biggest container port in Spain – the Port of Valencia – handled 5,475,773 TEUs, representing a 14.2% growth compared to 2023. In April 2024, the Board of Directors of the Port Authority of Valencia announced the offers for the tender for the execution of the works on the container dock in the northern extension of the Port of Valencia. The new container terminal at the Port of Valencia will integrate technology, eco-efficiency, intramodality, and sustainability, supporting Spain’s economy and enhancing connectivity with global markets. Covering 137 hectares, it will have a capacity of five million containers and 1,970 meters of quay. The terminal will feature a cutting-edge design and fully electrified systems, ensuring high efficiency in both maritime and land operations. This project will create jobs and boost economic activity in the surrounding area, reinforcing the status of Spanish ports in the Mediterranean.

In 2024, Spain's second-largest container port, the Port of Algeciras, handled 4,706,145 TEUs, marking a 0.6% drop in volume compared to 2023. Despite this decrease, the port maintained its position as one of the largest European container ports, driven by an increase in full containers destined for import and export, which rose by 2.46% and 5%, respectively. The outlook for next year remains uncertain, as Maersk has decided to remove the Port of Algeciras from its trade route between India and the United States, shifting the port of call to Tanger Med in Morocco to improve transit times.

A significant positive change was recorded in the Port of Barcelona. In 2024, the port handled 3,885,736 TEUs, an 18.5% increase compared to the previous year. The traffic of full containers, a key indicator of the hinterland economy, saw a significant 29.1% increase due to shipping route changes prompted by the Red Sea crisis. Imports rose by 11% and exports by 5.8%, maintaining a balanced volume between both types of traffic. In July 2024, the port officially opened its first OPS system for ships in a container terminal. The OPS has been designed specifically to be compatible with the operations of the BEST terminal and will allow up to two ships to connect simultaneously, adapting the electrical current to the needs of each vessel.

European ports in transition - investments, declines and new records

The Port of Bremerhaven also experienced a 6.3% increase, handling 4,444,813 TEUs in 2024. In July 2024, to modernize its operations, EUROGATE's Container Terminal Bremerhaven introduced the Navis N4 Terminal Operating System (TOS). This enhancement aims to improve customer service and optimize terminal performance, reinforcing the port's competitiveness in the European container market. The Port of Piraeus recorded a 7.8% decrease in container handling. In 2024, the port handled 4,228,500 TEUs. This decline resulted in a two- position drop in the ranking, however, in reality, the Greek port may have handled more containers, as presented data is based on the COSCO operated terminals, excluding the Piraeus Port Authority’s container terminal.

The Port of Gioia Tauro is another port that experienced a double-digit increase. In 2024, nearly 4 million TEUs were handled, representing an 11% growth and setting a new historical record in container handling. One factor that may have contributed to growing container handling is the strategic geographical location. Gioia Tauro serves as a key transshipment hub in the Mediterranean, benefiting from increasing trade flows between Asia, Europe, and Africa. Shipping companies may have redirected cargo to Mediterranean ports instead of northern European ports to avoid congestion or reduce costs. The implementation of the European Emissions Trading System (ETS) in 2024 increased costs for shipping in northern European ports, making Mediterranean ports more competitive. In 2024, HAROPA Port handled over 3.1 million TEUs, surpassing its previous record of 3 million TEUs set in 2022 and achieving an 18.7% year-on-year growth in container handling. This upward trend in container traffic is also reflected in a robust level of inland flows (+7%), as well as the rise in number of ship calls at Le Havre.

In 2025, a key development in the container sector will be the addition of seven new TiL MSC gantry cranes at Port 2000, following the arrival of the first two on November 11, 2024. These state-of-the-art cranes - the largest in the world to date - will be deployed at Port 2000 by TNMSC (Terminal de Normandie) and TPO (Terminal Porte Océane). Their introduction is expected to significantly enhance productivity and competitiveness at the Port of Le Havre and across HAROPA PORT. Through its subsidiary TiL, MSC is thus completing the first phase of its planned €900 million investment in Le Havre.

Does the PMI herald a recovery in the container market?

Analysing the PMI, it is evident that economic sentiment for both the Eurozone and the global economy remains mostly below the neutral level of 50 points. The beginning of 2025 presents a more optimistic forecast, with the Global PMI reaching 50.1 points in January 2025, suggesting that the global economy is slightly expanding, though at a very slow pace. If the PMI remains above 50 consistently, it indicates improving economic conditions, increased demand, and potential economic growth worldwide. In January 2025, the Eurozone PMI stood at 45.4 points. This suggests weak demand, reduced production, or ongoing economic challenges such as high inflation, geopolitical tensions, or sluggish consumer spending. Since the war in Ukraine began, causing geopolitical tension, declines in PMI have been observed. In 2024, small increases were recorded compared to 2023, having a slight impact on the market, including container handling. Overall, it suggests that business conditions are neither improving nor deteriorating, but indicate the global economy is stabilizing, with weak but positive momentum. This may signal a continued recovery in the European container market in 2025.