Freight transport on EU inland waterways reached 118 billion tonne-kilometres in 2025, a decrease of 3% compared with the previous year, according to figures published by Eurostat on 29 July.
The latest results follow a modest recovery in 2024, when volumes rose to 121.6 billion tonne-kilometres after reaching a low of 116.4 billion in 2023. Viewed over a longer period, inland waterway freight activity remains considerably below the levels recorded between 2015 and 2017, when annual volumes stood at approximately 145-146 billion tonne-kilometres.
Germany and the Netherlands continued to account for the largest shares of EU inland waterway transport. In 2025, they recorded 42.7 billion and 42.2 billion tonne-kilometres respectively, together representing 71.9% of the EU total.
International transport represents more than half of the total
International transport accounted for 54.7% of EU inland waterway freight activity in 2025. National transport represented 24.9%, while transit transport accounted for the remaining 20.4%.
The distribution varied considerably between countries. International transport represented 74% of inland waterway activity in Austria, 64.1% in Germany and 57.2% in Belgium. National transport was predominant in countries including Czechia, Poland and France, while transit traffic accounted for particularly high shares in Croatia, Bulgaria, Luxembourg and Slovakia.
Significant differences between cargo categories
Metal ores remained the largest category of goods transported on EU inland waterways, accounting for 22.2% of total activity measured in tonne-kilometres. Coke and refined petroleum products represented 16.2%, followed by chemicals, rubber and plastic products, and nuclear fuel at 14.3%.
Developments differed substantially between cargo categories. Compared with 2024, the transport of agricultural products recorded the largest decline, falling by 19.7%. Conversely, coal and crude petroleum registered the strongest increase, at 21.3%.
Beyond the figures
The figures illustrate the continuing challenge of translating Europe’s modal-shift objectives into increased freight volumes on inland waterways. Strengthening the sector’s role in the European transport system will require suitable framework conditions, including reliable and climate-resilient infrastructure, adequate investment and continued support for the sector’s greening and digitalisation.
“Amid a historic drought on the major European rivers – causing even an energy crisis in some EU countries – it is more than ever pivotal to invest in the resilience of inland waterways. Inland waterway transport plays a critical role in supplying the European industry and society. Only with a future proof infrastructure the sector will be able to act as a reliable partner and to increase its modal share. We thus call upon the national decision makers to face this critical situation by taking the necessary restoration measures without further delay”
Theresia Hacksteiner, EUIWTP Executive Director
