Total seaborne cargo throughput rises by 7% to 31.1 million tonnes
Oldenburg, 13 August 2026 | Lower Saxony’s port industry remains on a growth trajectory, despite challenging overall market conditions and the fact that the onset of winter in particular made cargo handling operations more difficult at the beginning of the year. The positive development in the first half of the year was driven by increased handling of general cargo and containers, which now account for around one third of the total cargo throughput of the Seaports of Niedersachsen. Bulk cargo throughput, meanwhile, declined slightly in the first half of the year due to market conditions.
With 31.1 million tonnes, the nine Seaports of Niedersachsen recorded a 7% increase in seaborne cargo throughput in the first half of 2026 (29.1 million tonnes in the first half of 2025). Container throughput reached 898,211 TEU, an increase of 36% (664,685 TEU in the first half of 2025). From January to June, more than 12 million tonnes of general cargo were handled at the Seaports of Niedersachsen. In addition to containers, this includes wind energy components, iron, steel, forestry products and rolling cargo. This represents an increase of 25% compared with the previous year (9.6 million tonnes in the first half of 2025). Bulk cargo throughput amounted to around 19.1 million tonnes, just under 2% below the previous year’s figure (19.5 million tonnes in the first half of 2025). At the three Seaports of Niedersachsen automotive handling ports, throughput of new vehicles remained at the previous year’s level, with a total of 842,411 units.
“Overall, we can draw a positive conclusion at mid-year regarding the development of cargo volumes at the Seaports of Niedersachsen. This also reflects a high level of customer satisfaction, which our port industry has been able to achieve through a strong range of services and flexible solutions. However, this should not obscure the fact that markets remain under pressure. While throughput volumes for containers, components for renewable energy and certain bulk cargoes have increased significantly, other cargo groups are being affected by tariff restrictions, shifts in trade flows due to high energy costs and excessive regulation. The geopolitical situation also continues to have an impact on global markets,” comments Inke Onnen-Lübben, Managing Director of Seaports of Niedersachsen GmbH, on the latest throughput figures.
Brake
In the first half of 2026, the Port of Brake recorded seaborne cargo throughput of just under 2.45 million tonnes, a decline of 12% (2.8 million tonnes in the first half of 2025). The port saw particularly positive development in the handling of wind energy components. Throughput of grain and animal feed declined as a result of uncertainties surrounding, and the eventual postponement of, the EUDR, which led to high stock levels that are currently being used by the trade to fulfil existing contracts. U.S. tariff policy continues to have a direct impact on exports of iron and steel as well as timber.
Cuxhaven
In Cuxhaven, 1.3 million tonnes of cargo were handled by sea in the first half of 2026, around 32% less than in the same period of the previous year (1.8 million tonnes). This decline is primarily attributable to a special effect: major construction projects at the site in 2025 had led to a project-related increase in the handling of construction materials, which are absent this year. General cargo throughput, particularly wind energy components, developed very positively. With 185,508 new vehicles, automotive throughput in the first half of 2026 was below the previous year’s level, partly due to weather-related restrictions at the beginning of the year.
Emden
The Port of Emden recorded seaborne cargo throughput of approximately 2.3 million tonnes, just under 5% below the previous year’s result (2.4 million tonnes in the first half of 2025). Strong growth in the handling of wind turbines and increasing volumes of liquid bulk cargo were unable to fully offset declines in areas such as solid bulk cargo, including construction materials. Automotive throughput stood at more than 589,000 new vehicles in the first half of 2026, slightly below the previous year’s level. While vehicle imports increased, exports declined slightly, particularly with regard to business with the United States.
Leer
In the Port of Leer, around 107,000 tonnes of cargo were handled in combined sea and inland waterway traffic in the first half of 2026, representing an increase of 15% compared with the same period of the previous year (93,000 tonnes in the first half of 2025). The main types of cargo handled in Leer are construction materials, animal feed, as well as iron and steel.
Nordenham
In Nordenham, seaborne cargo throughput amounted to around 0.9 million tonnes in the first half of 2026, a decline of 11% (1 million tonnes in the first half of 2025). While throughput of bulk cargo such as construction materials increased, coal and, due to scheduled maintenance, liquid bulk cargo recorded declines. Ongoing project cargo operations in the cable logistics sector nevertheless ensured good capacity utilisation and value creation at the port in the first half of 2026.
Oldenburg
Due to the ongoing construction of the railway bridge in Elsfleth, which is scheduled for completion by the end of 2027, the Port of Oldenburg remains inaccessible to seagoing vessels. As a result, there was no seaborne cargo throughput in the first half of 2026. Total inland waterway cargo throughput increased by 2% to 378,743 tonnes compared with the same period of the previous year (371,708 tonnes in the first half of 2025). In addition, 156,557 tonnes of cargo were delivered by rail to ensure a reliable supply to the port’s customers.
Papenburg
In the first half of 2026, Papenburg recorded seaborne cargo throughput of 335,025 tonnes, an increase of around 3% compared with the previous year (324,470 tonnes in the first half of 2025). Growth was primarily driven by an increase in the handling of solid bulk cargo, while general cargo throughput remained at the previous year’s level. Inland waterway traffic, which is particularly important for supplying local industries, was also in greater demand. At 125,210 tonnes, the volume of cargo transported to or from the port by inland waterway vessels increased by 10% (114,000 tonnes in the first half of 2025).
Stade
With total seaborne cargo throughput of around 3.2 million tonnes in the first half of 2026, the Port of Stade recorded an increase of 24% compared with the first half of 2025 (2.6 million tonnes). This growth was driven by higher bulk cargo volumes due to increased demand from local industries, as well as increased handling of general cargo and project cargo.
Wilhelmshaven
From January to June 2026, around 20.6 million tonnes of cargo were handled in Wilhelmshaven, approximately 14% more than in the first half of 2025 (18 million tonnes). Container throughput amounted to more than 898,000 TEU, representing an increase of 36% compared with the same period of the previous year. Automotive throughput also continued to grow, reaching almost 68,000 new vehicles in the first half of 2026. While throughput of crude oil and petroleum products declined, imports of coal and construction materials continued to increase.
Note: The percentages stated are based on the exact figures. Due to rounding of the figures presented in the text, percentages may differ slightly in some cases.
Contact:
Seaports of Niedersachsen GmbH Hindenburgstraße 28
26122 Oldenburg
Tel.: +49 (0)441 361888-82 Zentrale: +49 (0)441 361888-88 www.seaports.de
About Seaports of Niedersachsen:
Seaports of Niedersachsen GmbH (Seaports) represents the nine seaports of Lower Saxony, together with their numerous port handling companies, logistics networks operating across the region and specialists in all types of logistics services. As a port marketing organisation, Seaports communicates the diverse capabilities of Lower Saxony’s seaport locations to global markets and creates platforms for networking the port industry with its customers in order to strengthen their position in international competition.