CCNR

The Central Commission for the Navigation of the Rhine (CCNR) is pleased to present the 2025 edition of its Annual Market Observation report, produced once again in close collaboration with the European Commission.
 
Inland navigation faced another challenging year in 2024, as the sector continued to navigate the complex aftermath of geopolitical tensions and a fragile economic environment. While global inflation eased and trade volumes showed tentative signs of improvement – GDP growth reached +3.3% in 2024 – new economic shocks, notably disruptions in the Red Sea, weaker industrial activity, and low consumer demand slowed down growth in transport volumes. Moreover, U.S. announcements in late 2024 regarding a possible introduction of new tariffs generated uncertainty and reduced business confidence, also contributing to the slowdown in growth. Although container traffic showed early signs of recovery, other market segments such as sand, stones and gravel remained under pressure, and coal transport followed its declining trend. Steel production rebounded modestly, but the recovery of related transport demand remains uncertain.
 
Amid this difficult environment, inland waterway transport showed some signs of growth demonstrating its resilience. Investments in new vessels – particularly in the liquid cargo segment – continued, with a noticeable trend toward larger vessel capacities. However, newbuilding activity slowed down overall in 2024, especially in the dry cargo sector, reflecting weaker demand. Despite these setbacks, the fleet is adapting to long-term structural shifts, including the green transition, with growing interest in alternative propulsion technologies.
 
Passenger transport, particularly river cruising, recorded solid growth in 2024 both in terms of the number of passengers and sales. This growth was supported by an increase in the newbuilding activity, which after a slow period since the pandemic, is expected to accelerate in the coming years.
 
Meanwhile, data on employment and company activity showed diverging trends between freight and passenger transport, with the latter continuing its post-pandemic recovery.
 
This year’s report retains its comprehensive approach, analysing freight and passenger transport on inland waterways; transport infrastructure investment and maintenance; freight rates and operating conditions; commodity prices; fleet development; employment; and an outlook on the main inland navigation market segments. As in previous years, we complement short-term analysis with long-term forecasts in collaboration with Oxford Economics, offering a broader view of expected developments across market segments in both Rhine and Danube countries.
 
In this context, I would like to thank all our partners who have contributed valuable data and insights – the Corporation Inland Tanker Barge Owners (CITBO), the Danube, Moselle and Sava Commissions, professional organisations such as the European Barge Union (EBU) and the European Skippers’ Organisation (ESO). Their support is instrumental in ensuring the accuracy and relevance of this report.
 
I would also like to express our gratitude to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), Rijkswaterstaat, the IVR, Mr Arnulf Hader, Eurostat, Destatis and other national statistical offices, ports and national waterway administrations, for their invaluable contributions to the data and analysis presented here.
 
It is our hope that the 2025 Annual Market Observation will continue to serve as a trusted resource for decision-makers, industry stakeholders, and professionals across the inland navigation sector. The CCNR remains committed to strengthening the sector’s role in a sustainable, efficient and resilient European transport system.
 
 
Lucia Luijten, Secretary General
Central Commission for the Navigation of the Rhine (CCNR)

DG MOVE

Inland waterway transport is fundamental to Europe’s sustainable transport system, significantly reducing congestion, greenhouse gas and noise emissions, while enhancing connectivity across the continent. It is a great pleasure for me to introduce this year’s European Inland Navigation Market Observation report, which offers, as always, invaluable insights into the evolving inland waterway market and emerging trends in Europe.
 
In recognising the strategic importance of inland waterway transport, the EU has progressively developed a comprehensive and supportive policy framework to ensure its full potential is unlocked. Nevertheless, external pressures increasingly challenge its further development.
 
Geopolitical tensions expose our transport system to new security threats and impact our economy. The inland waterway sector is no exception, and is increasingly vulnerable to cyber-attacks, hybrid warfare and destabilisation actions that risk undermining the attractiveness and use of our inland waterway network. In this shifting geopolitical landscape, ensuring that the inland waterway network is not only well-prepared but also resilient, is imperative. If this is done correctly, the sector will help make our European transport network more resilient.
 
The increasingly visible effects of climate change also underline the importance of climate adaptation. Prolonged periods of low water levels disrupt logistics chains and diminish the overall performance and competitiveness of the sector.
 
Despite these growing challenges, inland waterways remain a reliable and sustainable backbone of our transport system. Greater innovation and digitalisation, combined with more modern infrastructure and climate adaptation, can strengthen the resilience and efficiency of inland navigation, allowing it to continue delivering the irrefutable and long-term benefits that have long defined this mode of transport. Having quality data will also help us to understand market dynamics and to steer future policy developments.
 
This joint report by the Central Commission for the Navigation of the Rhine (CCNR) and the European Commission is further evidence of the continued and fruitful collaboration between both institutions, together with other actors in the sector. This cooperation will help us to continue upgrading inland waterway transport. I would like to congratulate the CCNR for another valuable report whose observations presented will help foster innovation, resilience, and competitiveness within the inland waterway transport sector.

 
 
Magda Kopczyńska, Director General of DG MOVE
European Commission