In 2023, the total value of the EU’s imported and exported goods transported by sea to non-EU countries was €2,406.3 billion, up from €810.2 billion two decades earlier.

According to the European Statistical Office (Eurostat), sea transportation represented 47.4% of the value of goods traded between the EU and non-EU countries. Specifically, it accounted for 43.9% of the EU’s exports and 51.0% of its imports.

Measured in value, air transportation accounted for 26.2% of the EU’s exports and 17.4% of its imports while road transportation made up 24.1% of exports and 18.7% of imports. Rail transportation had a much smaller share, contributing just 1.5% to exports and 1.3% to imports.

The share of imported goods transported by sea rose by 9.0% between 2002 and 2023, while the use of sea transportation for EU exports went up by 4.3%.

For air transportation, the share of imported goods declined by 3.6% but rose slightly for exports (+0.4%).

The share of goods transported by road increased by 1% for imports and 0.1% for exports.

Meanwhile, imports and exports by other modes of transport, such as pipelines, decreased by 3.9% and 4.5%, respectively.

Credit: Eurostat

In 2023, the total value of the EU’s imported and exported goods transported by sea to non-EU countries was €2,406.3 billion, up from €810.2 billion two decades earlier.

According to the European Statistical Office (Eurostat), sea transportation represented 47.4% of the value of goods traded between the EU and non-EU countries. Specifically, it accounted for 43.9% of the EU’s exports and 51.0% of its imports.

Measured in value, air transportation accounted for 26.2% of the EU’s exports and 17.4% of its imports while road transportation made up 24.1% of exports and 18.7% of imports. Rail transportation had a much smaller share, contributing just 1.5% to exports and 1.3% to imports.

The share of imported goods transported by sea rose by 9.0% between 2002 and 2023, while the use of sea transportation for EU exports went up by 4.3%.

For air transportation, the share of imported goods declined by 3.6% but rose slightly for exports (+0.4%).

The share of goods transported by road increased by 1% for imports and 0.1% for exports.

Meanwhile, imports and exports by other modes of transport, such as pipelines, decreased by 3.9% and 4.5%, respectively.

Credit: Eurostat