In 2023, the Russian Federation led global rail container transport with 18.71 thousand metric tons, followed by Germany (18.03), Italy (11.72), and Canada (9.07). Poland and Austria had comparable volumes at 5.84 and 5.83 respectively, with Switzerland, France, Japan, and the Czech Republic rounding out the top ten. Year-over-year, substantial growth was seen in Germany (4.11%), Poland (8.85%), and Bulgaria (43.75%), while Japan (-1.83%) and Portugal (-2.89%) experienced declines. Noteworthy gains were also observed in Croatia (19.31%), Latvia (12.91%), and Chile (12.92%). Predictable moderate growth can be expected across major European countries, especially Germany and Poland, while emerging markets like Bulgaria and Azerbaijan may show significant increases.
Future trends will likely include increased rail container transport in emerging markets, driven by policy incentives and infrastructure investments. Additionally, environmental concerns may boost rail transport share in countries aiming to reduce carbon footprints. Monitoring technological advancements and international trade agreements will provide insights into further potential shifts in rail container transport volumes globally.
Top countries in Volume of Rail Containers Transport Share by Country (Thousand Metric Tons)
| # | 10 Countries | Percent | Last Year | YoY | 5-years CAGR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 Russian Federation | 18.71 | 2023 | |||
| 2 | 2 Germany | 18.03 | 2023 | +1.75% | +4.11% | View data |
| 3 | 3 Italy | 11.72 | 2023 | +1.96% | +1.34% | View data |
| 4 | 4 Canada | 9.07 | 2023 | +2.51% | +0.76% | View data |
| 5 | 5 Poland | 5.84 | 2023 | +5.77% | +8.85% | View data |
| 6 | 6 Austria | 5.83 | 2023 | +2.77% | +1.72% | View data |
| 7 | 7 Switzerland | 5.33 | 2023 | +6.75% | +1.09% | View data |
| 8 | 8 France | 5.25 | 2023 | +3.73% | +3.82% | View data |
| 9 | 9 Japan | 5.06 | 2023 | +0.48% | -1.83% | View data |
| 10 | 10 Czech Republic | 3.68 | 2023 | +3.63% | -0.88% | View data |