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Maritime Transport Drives EU International Trade in 2024

by THEFUTURE.TEAM
September 26, 2025

Overview

In 2024, the European Union’s international trade landscape was significantly shaped by the dominance of maritime transport. Eurostat data reveals that the sector played a pivotal role, handling the bulk of the physical trade volume while other modes of transport maintained a secondary, albeit economically significant, position.

Trade Volume Versus Value

According to the findings, seaborne imports reached 1.1 billion tonnes valued at €1.25 trillion, while exports amounted to 0.5 billion tonnes, worth €1.13 trillion. Maritime operations accounted for an overwhelming 75.6% of imports and 73.7% of exports by weight. However, when evaluated in monetary terms, the share was notably lower at 51.3% for imports and 43.6% for exports. This contrast underscores the divergence between the physical volume of goods moved and their corresponding economic value.

Other Modes of Transport

Other transport modes played complementary roles in the overall trade ecosystem. Rail transport contributed modestly, accounting for 3.1% of import volume and 2.9% of exports by volume—a mere 1.5% and 1.3% of trade value, respectively. Air transport, though responsible for only 0.2% of imports and 2.8% of exports by weight, represented a disproportionately high value share at 18.3% and 27.1%. Road transport also demonstrated similar dynamics with 20.4% of import value and 24% of export value, despite handling 5.8% and 16.5% of the physical volumes, respectively.

Member-State Focus

Among EU member states, Cyprus and Malta emerged as the most reliant on maritime trade. For instance, Cyprus moved 98.6% of its imports and 97.2% of its exports by sea in 2024, with minimal reliance on alternative modes. Malta exhibited a similar pattern, with 99.1% of its imports and 98.5% of its exports transported by sea.

Other nations displayed a more diversified transportation matrix. Greece, a renowned shipping hub, moved 92.4% of its imports and 87.9% of its exports by sea. In contrast, the Netherlands, the continent’s largest port economy, recorded lower shares of 77.6% for imports and 66.8% for exports by sea. Germany and Poland further illustrate this diversification; Germany relied more heavily on road, rail, and pipelines with maritime shares of 59.7% for imports and 49.2% for exports, while Poland accounted for merely 45.8% of imports and 31.4% of exports via sea.

Conclusion

The data from 2024 underscores the strategic significance of maritime transport within the EU’s trade framework. As global trade dynamics evolve and the demand for efficiency grows, the EU’s maritime infrastructure appears poised to maintain its critical role, even as complementary transport modes continue to enhance value delivery across the bloc.

EU Moderates Emissions While Sustaining Economic Momentum

by THEFUTURE.TEAM
November 15, 2025

The European Union witnessed a modest decline in greenhouse gas emissions in the second quarter of 2025, as reported by Eurostat. Emissions across the EU registered at 772 million tonnes of CO₂-equivalents, marking a 0.4 percent reduction from 775 million tonnes in the same period of 2024. Concurrently, the EU’s gross domestic product rose by 1.3 percent, reinforcing the ongoing decoupling between economic growth and environmental impact.

Sector-By-Sector Performance

Within the broader statistics on emissions by economic activity, the energy sector—specifically electricity, gas, steam, and air conditioning supply—experienced the most significant drop, declining by 2.9 percent. In comparison, the manufacturing sector and transportation and storage both achieved a 0.4 percent reduction. However, household emissions bucked the trend, increasing by 1.0 percent over the same period.

National Highlights And Notable Exceptions

Among EU member states, 12 reported a reduction in emissions, while 14 saw increases, and Estonia’s figures remained static. Notably, Slovenia, the Netherlands, and Finland recorded the most pronounced declines at 8.6 percent, 5.9 percent, and 4.2 percent respectively. Of the 12 countries reducing emissions, three—Finland, Germany, and Luxembourg—also experienced a contraction in GDP growth.

Dual Achievement: Environmental And Economic Goals

In an encouraging development, nine member states, including Cyprus, managed to lower their emissions while maintaining economic expansion. This dual achievement—reducing environmental impact while fostering economic activity—is a trend that has increasingly influenced EU climate policies. Other nations that successfully balanced these outcomes include Austria, Denmark, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Romania, Slovenia, and Sweden.

Conclusion

As the EU continues to navigate its climate commitments, these quarterly insights underscore a gradual yet significant shift toward balancing emissions reductions with robust economic growth. The evolving landscape highlights the critical need for sustainable strategies that not only mitigate environmental risks but also invigorate economic resilience.

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