Top Container Ports in Europe: 2024 rankings
Container ports in Europe play a crucial role in global supply chains, acting as gateways for trade between continents. Which ones are the largest? Below is a ranking of the largest container ports in Europe based on TEU (Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units) throughput in 2024.
15. Port of Marseille (France)
- Annual TEU throughput (2024): 1.4 million
- Growth 2023/2024: +8.9%
- Growth rate H1 2025: +1%
- Key commodities: Containerized goods, oil products, chemicals
Marseille is the key port in southern France, offering modern terminals and excellent connections to both rail and road networks. For importers, this means quick access to the French market and the Mediterranean region. The port is crucial for the efficient handling of containerized goods, oil products, and chemicals.
14. Port of Sines (Portugal)
- Annual TEU throughput (2024): 1.9 million
- Growth 2023/2024: +16%
- Growth rate H1 2025: -9%
- Key commodities: Containerized goods, bulk cargo, oil products
Sines is an important Atlantic port strategically located for transport to and from North America and Western Europe. With deep-water berths and modern terminal infrastructure, large vessel handling is efficiently managed. Importers can benefit from fast transshipment and bulk cargo handling services.
13. Port of Gdańsk (Poland)
- Annual TEU throughput (2024): 2.2 million
- Growth 2023/2024: +9.3%
- Growth rate H1 2025: +20.5%
- Key commodities: Containerized goods, bulk cargo, general cargo
Gdańsk is Poland’s largest container port, offering efficient handling of containers, bulk goods, and general cargo. The port has strong rail and road links to Central Europe, enabling fast and reliable imports from Asia and Northern Europe. For freight forwarders, Gdańsk offers flexible terminal options and quick turnaround for goods.
12. Port of Genoa (Italy)
- Annual TEU throughput (2024): 2.8 million
- Growth 2023/2024: +2.9%
- Growth rate H1 2025: +7.9%
- Key commodities: Containerized goods, general cargo, Ro-Ro
Genoa specializes in containers, general cargo, and Ro-Ro shipments, handling large volumes within the Liguria region. The port has excellent rail and road connections across Italy, making it a crucial node for freight forwarders moving goods throughout Europe. Continued infrastructure development will increase operational capacity.
11. Port of Marsaxlokk (Malta)
- Annual TEU throughput (2024): 2.8 million
- Growth 2023/2024: +2%
- Growth rate H1 2025: Data unavailable
- Key commodities: Containerized goods, bulk cargo, general cargo
Marsaxlokk is Malta’s main container port, specializing in handling containers, bulk, and general cargo. The port benefits from its strategic location in the heart of the Mediterranean, providing quick access to markets in the Middle East, North Africa, and Europe. Importers value the port’s high-quality service and efficient logistics.
10. HAROPA/Port of Le Havre (France)
- Annual TEU throughput (2024): 3.1 million
- Growth 2023/2024: +18.7%
- Growth rate H1 2025: +4%
- Key commodities: Containerized goods, chemicals, cars
Le Havre is France’s main container port on the Loire River, handling the import and export of containerized goods, chemicals, and automobiles. The port offers modern infrastructure and excellent connections to the Ile-de-France region. Freight forwarders value Le Havre for its streamlined services and integration with road and rail transport.
9. Port of Barcelona (Spain)
- Annual TEU throughput (2024): 3.89 million
- Growth 2023/2024: +18.5%
- Growth rate H1 2025: -7.3%
- Key commodities: Containerized goods, cars, pharmaceuticals
Barcelona offers modern terminals and efficient handling of a wide range of goods. The port is well-connected to Spain and France’s road and rail networks, providing quick access to European markets and flexible distribution options. Importers benefit from the port’s speed and reliability in handling diverse cargo types.
8. Port of Gioia Tauro (Italy)
- Annual TEU throughput (2024): 3.94 million
- Growth 2023/2024: +11.0%
- Growth rate H1 2025: +0.5%
- Key commodities: Containerized goods, automotive parts
Gioia Tauro is Italy’s key transshipment port, specializing in containers and automotive parts. The port has high throughput capacity and modern terminals that ensure fast handling. It also benefits from excellent connections to the Mediterranean region and efficient rail transport to Northern Europe.
7. Port of Bremerhaven (Germany)
- Annual TEU throughput (2024): 4.44 million
- Growth 2023/2024: +6.3%
- Growth rate H1 2025: +8.8%
- Key commodities: Cars, containerized goods, general cargo
Bremerhaven has modern terminals and rail systems, enabling efficient transport throughout Germany. It specializes in container and automotive shipments, offering reliable service for both import and export. Freight forwarders appreciate its handling capacity for large volumes of goods and quick turnaround times.
6. Port of Algeciras (Spain)
- Annual TEU throughput (2024): 4.71 million
- Growth 2023/2024: -0.6%
- Growth rate H1 2025: -4.5%
- Key commodities: Containerized goods, Ro-Ro, general cargo
Algeciras is a strategic port at the entrance to the Mediterranean, key for transshipment between Europe, Asia, and Africa. The port also handles Ro-Ro shipments, which facilitate vehicle transport. Freight forwarders can rely on the port’s connectivity and flexible cargo handling options.
5. Port of Piraeus (Greece)
- Annual TEU throughput (2024): 4.78 million
- Growth 2023/2024: -6.1%
- Growth rate H1 2025: +4.9%
- Key commodities: Containerized goods, general cargo, cruise ships
Piraeus is a major Mediterranean port, primarily used for container transshipment and international trade to Southern Europe. It offers fast access to Asia through container shipping lines and serves as a logistics hub for shipments to Central and Eastern Europe.
4. Port of Valencia (Spain)
- Annual TEU throughput (2024): 5.48 million
- Growth 2023/2024: +14.2%
- Growth rate H1 2025: +3.9%
- Key commodities: Cars, textiles, electronics
Valencia is Spain’s largest container port, handling both trade with Latin America and Asia. The port offers modern terminals and excellent road connections with various regions in Spain and France. Freight forwarders can rely on fast processing times for cars, textiles, and electronics.
3. Port of Hamburg (Germany)
- Annual TEU throughput (2024): 7.8 million
- Growth 2023/2024: +0.9%
- Growth rate H1 2025: +9.3%
- Key commodities: Containerized goods, machinery, chemicals
Hamburg is Germany’s largest port and a key hub for trade with Asia. Container terminals provide quick handling and efficient rail connections across Europe. Importers appreciate the port for its capacity to handle large volumes and its modern warehouse and customs services.
2. Port of Antwerp-Bruges (Belgium)
- Annual TEU throughput (2024): 13.53 million
- Growth 2023/2024: +8.1%
- Growth rate H1 2025: +3.7%
- Key commodities: Petrochemicals, containerized goods, general cargo
Antwerp-Bruges boasts high throughput and handles a wide range of goods, including petrochemicals and containers. The port has an extensive multimodal transport network, facilitating efficient transport to Central and Northern Europe.
1. Port of Rotterdam (Netherlands)
- Annual TEU throughput (2024): 13.82 million
- Growth 2023/2024: +2.8%
- Growth rate H1 2025: +2.7%
- Key commodities: Oil products, chemicals, containerized goods
Rotterdam is Europe’s largest container port, handling enormous volumes of cargo and offering top-tier transshipment facilities. With modern terminals and efficient rail and road links, import and export processes run smoothly. The port’s strategic location makes it a logistics hub for goods from the Middle East, the Americas, and Asia, making it a key point for freight planning.
Conclusion and outlook for 2026
In 2024, Europe’s top container ports demonstrated resilience and growth in TEU throughput. Ports like Rotterdam, Antwerp, and Hamburg are maintaining their leadership positions, while smaller ports like Gdańsk, Piraeus, and Gioia Tauro are investing in infrastructure and increasing their share of European container trade. With projections for 2026, it is clear that these ports will continue to be central to global trade routes, benefiting from advancements in automation, digitalization, and infrastructure expansion.