The Port of Leer functions both as an efficient seaport and as an important hub for inland waterway transport. At the same time, Leer is Germany’s second-largest shipping company location.

The port’s main cargo types include agricultural goods such as fertilizers and feedstuffs produced locally in Leer, processed on-site, and then loaded for transport. A modern self-service facility enables round-the-clock truck collection to ensure smooth onward transport. The dry bulk goods handled at the Port of Leer include construction materials, iron, and steel scrap, while general cargo and project cargo handling also form part of the port’s operations.

The sea and inland port offers trimodal connectivity: by water, cargo reaches the Ruhr area via the Dortmund-Ems Canal and continues to the Benelux countries. The berths in the tide-free harbor are accessible from the North Sea via the River Ems through a sea lock. As a major transport hub, Leer’s railway station connects the port with the main economic centers in the north, east, south, and west. The Port of Leer also has excellent access to the international road network via the A31 and A28 motorways.

The strong maritime cluster in Leer includes not only the port industry, but also the Department of Maritime Studies at the Emden/Leer University of Applied Sciences, two shipyards, and numerous suppliers and service providers.