Port of Gothenburg surpasses 900,000 TEU mark in 2024

In 2024, the Port of Gothenburg handled 909,000 TEUs of containerized cargo, translating to a slight decrease of 1% compared to the previous year’s levels.

In 2024, the Swedish port said that more containerized cargo was handled than in the record year of 2023 – despite the number of containers decreasing. “It may seem like a contradiction, but it makes sense because more loaded containers were handled in 2024 than in 2023, while the handling of empty containers decreased to a greater extent. Fewer containers, but more goods, in other words,” explains the port authority.

Although containerized export cargo saw a slight decline, import volumes grew substantially, by nearly 15% over the year.

Claes Sundmark, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at the Port of Gothenburg, commented: “Primarily, we see that imports have increased significantly during the year, and this is a trend we expect to continue into 2025. As exports took a slight downturn, it means we are now close to a 50–50 balance between imports and exports. Something we are accustomed to at the Port of Gothenburg, but which is quite unique when compared to other ports both in Sweden and internationally.”

According to the European port, a well-balanced import-export ratio reduces the need for empty boxes, as import containers can be swiftly unloaded and reused for exports without requiring additional empty containers to be brought in. This leads to improved efficiency, lower costs in the supply chain, and a reduced environmental impact.

Rail transport to and from the port of Gothenburg also saw growth, with container volumes increasing by 7%. In 2024, the port recorded its second-busiest year with more than 500,000 TEUs moved by rail. This growth was driven primarily by import-heavy rail destinations such as Falköping and Nässjö, along with the introduction of new rail shuttles serving northern Sweden. Over 60% of all containers transported between the Port of Gothenburg and its hinterland now move by rail.

Meanwhile, the European economy continued to impact RoRo volumes at many ports, including Gothenburg, where total traffic declined by 3%. However, the Gothenburg Roro Terminal—the port’s largest RoRo terminal, which connects to key cargo hubs in Belgium and the United Kingdom—bucked the trend by recording an increase in volume over the year.