In 2023, rail container transport in Germany stood at 67.41 million metric tons. Over the past decade, the trend shows an initial decline from 71.09 million metric tons in 2013 to 56.08 million metric tons in 2017, followed by a recovery reaching 67.41 million metric tons in 2023. Specifically, the volumes show a notable dip with a low point of 56.08 million metric tons in 2017, while recent years indicate stabilization and a gradual increase. The year-on-year variations show initial declines till 2017 but a recovery phase begins with growth generally staying above 1% annually in the last five years. The five-year CAGR leading to 2028 is projected at 0.9%, forecasting a relatively stable yet modest growth rate overall.
Future trends to watch for include:
- Potential impacts of regulatory changes aimed at reducing carbon emissions which may further encourage rail over road transport.
- Technological advancements in rail infrastructure and logistics optimization that could drive efficiency and volume growth.
- Economic fluctuations and their influence on cargo demand.
- Expansion in international trade agreements impacting Germany’s import and export volumes via rail container transport.