Eurostat data indicates that freight transport activity across European Union inland waterways amounted to 118.0 billion tonne-kilometres in 2025, representing a decrease of about 3% compared to the previous year. This figure is based on the latest inland waterway freight transport statistics released by Eurostat.
Over the past decade, inland waterway freight transport in the EU remained stable at approximately 145-146 billion tkm between 2015 and 2017. A sharp drop occurred in 2018, with partial recoveries in 2019 and 2021, though volumes remained below the earlier peak. The decline has accelerated since 2022, reaching a new low in 2025.
For freight forwarders and operations managers, this sustained decline in inland waterway transport activity suggests potential shifts in modal preferences or reduced overall cargo volumes within the EU's interior. It could impact routing decisions for cargo that traditionally uses rivers and canals, potentially increasing reliance on road or rail for certain lanes, which might affect transit times and costs. Forwarders should monitor these trends for potential capacity adjustments or rate changes on alternative inland transport modes.
