Maritime transport remains dominant
In 2024, maritime transport continued to be the main channel for the European Union’s international trade. According to official data:
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Imports: 1.1 billion tonnes by sea worth €1.251 trillion.
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Exports: 0.5 billion tonnes worth €1.126 trillion.
By physical weight, maritime transport dominated EU trade flows:
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75.6% of all imports,
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73.7% of all exports.
By value, however, the shares were lower:
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51.3% of import value,
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43.6% of export value.
Other transport modes in EU trade
While sea routes dominate in tonnage, other modes play an important role, especially in value terms:
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Rail transport:
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3.1% of imports, 2.9% of exports by weight.
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Only 1.5% and 1.3% by value.
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Air transport:
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0.2% of imports, 2.8% of exports by weight.
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But 18.3% of import value and 27.1% of export value.
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Road transport:
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5.8% of imports, 16.5% of exports by weight.
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20.4% of import value and 24.0% of export value.
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This breakdown shows that while maritime transport dominates in physical volume, road and air transport are crucial for high-value goods.
Ukraine’s contribution to maritime flows
Ukraine also plays a strategic role in European and global maritime trade. In 2024, more than 120 million tonnes of cargo were transported via the Ukrainian maritime corridor.
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Goods reached 53 countries, spanning Asia, Africa, Europe, and Latin America.
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Exports included key commodities such as grain, metals, and food products, strengthening Ukraine’s role as a global logistics hub despite wartime challenges.
✅ Bottom line: Maritime transport remains the backbone of EU trade, accounting for more than 70% of physical flows, while Ukraine’s maritime corridor adds resilience to global supply chains by connecting Europe with key international markets.
