Logistics News
Germany Forecasts Growth in Freight Transport: What It Means for the European Logistics Market
Germany’s Federal Office for Logistics and Mobility (BALM) has released a new forecast for the freight transport sector, outlining cautious but steady growth for the coming years. Despite rising fuel costs, geopolitical instability, and ongoing infrastructure challenges, analysts expect the logistics market to continue expanding in 2026.
According to BALM, total freight transport volumes in Germany are expected to increase by 0.7% in 2026, while transport performance is projected to rise by 0.2%. While the numbers may appear modest, for the European logistics industry they represent an important sign of stabilization after years of disruption across global supply chains.
Road freight transport is expected to deliver the strongest results. BALM forecasts approximately 1% growth in both transport volumes and operational performance for the trucking sector. This once again highlights the flexibility of road logistics in an environment where companies increasingly need fast route adjustments and reliable delivery solutions.
For businesses, this trend is highly important. Companies across Europe are prioritizing logistics partners capable of reacting quickly to port congestion, infrastructure bottlenecks, and sudden geopolitical disruptions.
Rail freight, however, faces a more difficult outlook. Germany’s rail cargo sector is expected to decline by 0.9% in volume, while efficiency may fall by as much as 2.2%. Analysts point to overloaded rail infrastructure, ongoing maintenance projects, and delays in modernization as the key limiting factors.
This reflects a broader European issue. Even one of the world’s strongest economies is struggling with transport infrastructure limitations, pushing businesses toward multimodal and combined transport solutions where road, rail, and maritime logistics work together within one coordinated supply chain.
BALM also expects continued reductions in coal transportation via inland waterways. This is directly linked to Europe’s long-term energy transition and decreasing dependence on coal. For logistics providers, this means freight flows are shifting toward new cargo categories and more diversified transportation models.
The air cargo market remains highly volatile. BALM forecasts moderate annual growth of around 1.9–2%, but the sector continues to depend heavily on fuel prices, international trade activity, and geopolitical developments.
Meanwhile, maritime logistics could see stronger momentum after 2026. BALM expects Germany’s exports to accelerate between 2027 and 2029, which would also increase container shipping volumes significantly.
Container transport remains one of the clearest indicators of the global economy’s health. When container volumes rise, manufacturing output, international trade, and logistics demand usually follow.
For Ukrainian exporters and European businesses alike, Germany’s forecast matters far beyond its borders. As one of Europe’s main logistics hubs, changes in the German transport market influence freight pricing, route availability, and supply chain planning across the entire EU.
At LOADSTAR, we continue to see growing demand for flexible logistics solutions that combine multiple transport modes, reduce operational risks, and help businesses adapt quickly to market changes.
The coming years are likely to reward companies that invest in resilient supply chains, strategic planning, and reliable logistics partnerships.
Sources: BALM, RailFreight, German transport market analytics.
#Logistics #FreightTransport #SupplyChain
According to BALM, total freight transport volumes in Germany are expected to increase by 0.7% in 2026, while transport performance is projected to rise by 0.2%. While the numbers may appear modest, for the European logistics industry they represent an important sign of stabilization after years of disruption across global supply chains.
Road freight transport is expected to deliver the strongest results. BALM forecasts approximately 1% growth in both transport volumes and operational performance for the trucking sector. This once again highlights the flexibility of road logistics in an environment where companies increasingly need fast route adjustments and reliable delivery solutions.
For businesses, this trend is highly important. Companies across Europe are prioritizing logistics partners capable of reacting quickly to port congestion, infrastructure bottlenecks, and sudden geopolitical disruptions.
Rail freight, however, faces a more difficult outlook. Germany’s rail cargo sector is expected to decline by 0.9% in volume, while efficiency may fall by as much as 2.2%. Analysts point to overloaded rail infrastructure, ongoing maintenance projects, and delays in modernization as the key limiting factors.
This reflects a broader European issue. Even one of the world’s strongest economies is struggling with transport infrastructure limitations, pushing businesses toward multimodal and combined transport solutions where road, rail, and maritime logistics work together within one coordinated supply chain.
BALM also expects continued reductions in coal transportation via inland waterways. This is directly linked to Europe’s long-term energy transition and decreasing dependence on coal. For logistics providers, this means freight flows are shifting toward new cargo categories and more diversified transportation models.
The air cargo market remains highly volatile. BALM forecasts moderate annual growth of around 1.9–2%, but the sector continues to depend heavily on fuel prices, international trade activity, and geopolitical developments.
Meanwhile, maritime logistics could see stronger momentum after 2026. BALM expects Germany’s exports to accelerate between 2027 and 2029, which would also increase container shipping volumes significantly.
Container transport remains one of the clearest indicators of the global economy’s health. When container volumes rise, manufacturing output, international trade, and logistics demand usually follow.
For Ukrainian exporters and European businesses alike, Germany’s forecast matters far beyond its borders. As one of Europe’s main logistics hubs, changes in the German transport market influence freight pricing, route availability, and supply chain planning across the entire EU.
At LOADSTAR, we continue to see growing demand for flexible logistics solutions that combine multiple transport modes, reduce operational risks, and help businesses adapt quickly to market changes.
The coming years are likely to reward companies that invest in resilient supply chains, strategic planning, and reliable logistics partnerships.
Sources: BALM, RailFreight, German transport market analytics.
#Logistics #FreightTransport #SupplyChain
