Data is based on information and estimates available as of February 2025. Forecasts for 2025 rounded to half percentage points.

The German freight transport market is again expected to stagnate in 2025. Interest rate sensitive sectors such as mechanical engineering are likely to benefit from the interest rate cuts. Positive stimulus will be generated by a slight increase in consumer demand thanks to stable prices after two inflation-driven years and a simultaneous increase in wages. Transports for the automotive industry are expected to remain at a low level. The market will continue to be characterized by sustained competitive pressure. In addition to prices, transport quality remains of great importance.

• Rail freight transport in Germany is expected to stagnate in 2025. A slight recovery is expected in the transport of stones and soils, while chemical transports are likely to continue the moderate downward trend seen in 2024. Combined transport is set to remain the main driver of growth. The positive effects are likely to be dampened by a double-digit decline in coal transport in particular.
• Assuming that the economic market environment develops positively again, a moderately positive trend is expected for European rail freight transport in 2025 following the significant declines in the previous two years. The expected positive development of global and European trade should support market development, with combined transport again being the driving growth factor for the development of European rail freight transport.
• Having stagnated in 2024, road freight transport should recover moderately in 2025. This is expected to be boosted by rising demand for coke transports. Negative stimulus from the construction industry is expected to continue in 2025. In road freight transport, too, the increase in volume sold is expected to be essentially driven by the development in combined transport.
• Despite the recovery in the previous year, volume sold of inland shipping will stagnate in 2025 and remain at a very low level.