Europe’s busiest ports remain vital to the region’s economy, handling billions of tonnes of goods each year as shipping continues to supply energy, food, raw materials and manufactured products across the continent.
The importance of maritime trade has become even more visible in 2026 as disruptions linked to the war involving Iran have affected shipping routes and raised concerns over the security of major sea lanes.
Around 13 billion tonnes of traded goods were transported by sea worldwide in 2024. Ports across the European Union handled about 3.4 billion tonnes, accounting for roughly 26% of the global total. Nearly 90% of the EU’s external freight trade is transported by sea, according to the EU Blue Economy Observatory.
Eurostat data shows that Rotterdam in the Netherlands was the busiest EU port in 2024. The port handled 397.3 million tonnes of goods moving to and from its facilities.
Antwerp-Bruges in Belgium ranked second, with 243.7 million tonnes. Hamburg in Germany was third with 97 million tonnes, followed by Spain’s Algeciras with 81.5 million tonnes.
Amsterdam completed the top five, handling 78.8 million tonnes.
France’s HAROPA port complex, covering Le Havre and Rouen, ranked sixth with 76.6 million tonnes. Poland’s Gdansk followed at 71 million tonnes, while Marseille handled 66 million tonnes. Valencia in Spain recorded 64.5 million tonnes.
Romania’s Constanta also featured among the 10 busiest EU ports, with 57.6 million tonnes.
Several other major European ports ranked within the next 10 places. Barcelona handled 55.5 million tonnes, while Italy’s Trieste recorded 53.5 million tonnes and Genova 47.4 million tonnes.
Portugal’s Sines handled 44.1 million tonnes, narrowly ahead of Greece’s Piraeus at 43.7 million tonnes. Germany’s Bremerhaven recorded 42.5 million tonnes, while Sweden’s Göteborg handled 38.5 million tonnes. Dunkerque in France recorded 36.8 million tonnes.
The figures show the Netherlands’ particularly strong position in European maritime trade. Dutch ports handled 538.1 million tonnes of goods in total in 2024, the highest figure among EU countries.
Italy ranked second with 488.6 million tonnes, followed closely by Spain with 486 million tonnes. Belgium handled 274.9 million tonnes, while Germany recorded 273.9 million tonnes and France 269.8 million tonnes. Greece, Sweden and Poland each handled more than 100 million tonnes.
When EU candidate countries and EFTA members are included, Turkey ranked second overall with 524.7 million tonnes. Norway placed eighth with 212.1 million tonnes.
The European Commission has described maritime transport as a major driver of economic development in Europe. In March 2026, it adopted two strategies focused on improving competitiveness, sustainability, security and resilience across the waterborne sector, including ports, shipping and shipbuilding.
