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Ups and downs for the port of Gothenburg

Despite an 8% increase in throughput in tons, 2024 was a year of ups and downs in freight volumes for Scandinavia’s largest port in Gothenburg.

On the container side, the Port of Gothenburg reports another very strong year with high volumes and efficiency figures. While other segments reported mixed figures, there was an overall increase of 8% in tons for all segments.

More container freight was handled in 2024 than in the record year of 2023 – although the number of containers fell by just under 1% from 914,000 TEU in 2023 to 909,000 TEU last year. This may seem like a contradiction, but it makes sense, as more loaded containers were handled in 2024 than in 2023, while the handling of empty containers fell more sharply. Fewer containers, but more goods, in other words.

Container imports increase significantly

While container exports fell slightly, the volume on the import side increased significantly over the course of the year – by almost 15 %. Imports thus increased significantly over the course of the year and this trend is expected to continue in 2025. As exports declined slightly, this means that the ratio between imports and exports is now almost 50:50. “This is something we are used to in the Port of Gothenburg, but it is quite unique compared to other ports both in Sweden and internationally,” says Claes Sundmark, Vice President of Sales and Marketing.

Göteborg, Claes Sundmark
Claes Sundmark, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at the Port of Gothenburg (© Port of Gothenborg)

When there is a good balance between imports and exports in a port, the need for empty containers decreases. This is because an import container can be emptied quickly and then loaded as an export container without having to ship in an empty container from somewhere else. This leads to greater efficiency, lower climate impact and lower costs in the supply chain.

Rail share increased by 7%

The number of containers transported to and from the port by rail increased by 7%. 2024 was the second year in which more than 500,000 containers were transported to or from the port by rail. Import-heavy rail destinations such as Falköping and Nässjö in particular are contributing to the growth, as are new shuttles to and from destinations in northern Sweden.

Just over 60% of containers transported from the hinterland to or from the port of Gothenburg are transported by rail – a figure that few other major international ports can match.

Göteborg, Gothenborg
© Port of Gothenburg

RoRo throughput in Gothenburg declining

The tepid European economy continues to affect RoRo volumes in many ports. This was also the case in Gothenburg, where the total RoRo volume fell by 3%. However, the port’s largest RoRo terminal – the Gothenburg RoRo Terminal – with traffic to major cargo hubs in Belgium and the UK, saw an increase in volume during the year.

In 2024, the port handled 257,000 vehicles, a decrease of 4%. Imports have decreased, which goes hand in hand with a lower number of new registrations in Sweden (-7% according to Mobility Sweden’s annual statistics) Exports – mainly of Volvo Cars vehicles – on the other hand have increased steadily.

Energy products, cruises and breakbulk

The handling of energy products in the port increased by 18% compared to the same period last year. At that time, the volume was relatively low due to planned maintenance shutdowns and investments to increase capacity for biofuel production.

The Port of Gothenburg was visited by 56 cruise ships in 2024, compared to 81 in the previous year. The decrease is due to planned work on one of the port’s cruise terminals. With 63 bookings already confirmed for 2025, it is clear that 2025 will be a stronger year for the cruise segment.

In 2024, 463,000 tons of general cargo such as pulp, cardboard, granulate, stone and gravel were handled. This corresponds to an increase of 6% in 2024, making it the fifth consecutive year of stable growth in this segment.

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Copyright: © Port of Gothenborg

Caption: Ships in the port of Gothenburg (© Port of Gothenborg)