Rostock harbor is blossoming: record throughput and new deep-water berth!

Rostock harbor is blossoming: record throughput and new deep-water berth!

Something is happening in Rostock! The Rostock overseas port achieved impressive throughput figures in the first half of 2025 and remains on a clear growth path. With a total throughput of 15.7 million tons, the port not only brings a breath of fresh air to the regional economy, but also recorded an increase of around 600,000 tons compared to the same period last year. This corresponds to an increase of 4 percent and represents the second best half-year result in the port's 65-year history, as [NDR](https://www.ndr.de/nachrichten/mecklenburg-vorpommern/halbsjahrsrechnung-rostocker-hafen-weiter-auf- Growthkurs,hafen-148.html) reports.

The increase in ferry passenger traffic to Northern Europe is also particularly pleasing: with 1.03 million passengers, an increase of 14,000, the ferries have their hands full. In addition, a further 800,000 tonnes were loaded in adjacent port facilities, such as the cargo and fishing port - an increase of 80,000 tonnes compared to the previous year, according to Stern.

A look at the future

The prospects for the port of Rostock remain promising. The ferry and RoRo terminal now accounts for more than half of the total throughput, specifically 8.4 million tons. But it's not just the number of transshipments that is causing a stir: the existing areas on the quay edge are now at capacity, which is a big issue, especially with regard to the energy transition. A new deep-water berth is planned in the eastern oil port, the approval process for which will begin soon. Initial coordination with the Ministry of Economic Affairs is ongoing, so construction is scheduled to begin in 2026. The construction period is expected to take around two years, reports [NDR](https://www.ndr.de/nachrichten/mecklenburg-vorpommern/halbsjahrsrechnung-rostocker-hafen-weiter-auf- Growthkurs,hafen-148.html).

To further support the maritime economy, companies in the region reported their improved business situation through a survey by the IHK Nord. Over 89 percent of companies rate their current situation as good or satisfactory. Nevertheless, 55 percent are critical of the development of labor costs. The shortage of skilled workers plagues 61 percent of companies, while 83 percent report unfavorable economic conditions. However, the business climate index in the port industry increased by 20.4 points to 97.6, which shows that the industry remains optimistic, as Stern highlights.

Statistics from the region

A further look at the numbers shows that the German Baltic Sea port landscape is also impressive. Data from the Federal Statistical Office and the ZDS show that overall transshipments in the Baltic Sea ports are continuously increasing. For interested readers, the detailed statistics are available on Statista and are a good indication of the further development of the port industry.

With all of these positive developments behind it, the Port of Rostock shows that it is not only the largest German universal port on the Baltic Sea, but also remains a very central player for the maritime economy in the region. There's something coming up - and the next few years promise to be exciting!