Germany Freight and Logistics Market

Germany Freight and Logistics Market Overview:

The Germany freight and logistics market size reached USD 213.7 Billion in 2024. Looking forward, IMARC Group expects the market to reach USD 325.1 Billion by 2033, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 4.40% during 2025-2033. The market growth is being driven by several factors, including the launch of electric trucks, the increase in fuel economy in Germany, and the country’s status as the largest importer of natural gas.

Germany Freight and Logistics Market Trends:

Launch of Electric Trucks

Germany is advancing sustainable transportation with several private trucking companies introducing electric trucks. For instance, Maersk, a leading innovator in integrated and sustainable logistics solutions, announced a new initiative to reduce GHG emissions in hinterland container transports by purchasing 25 state-of-the-art Volvo FH electric trucks in Germany. This strategic investment highlights the company's dedication to decarbonizing global logistics and achieving net-zero emissions by 2040 across all business areas and modes of transport. In addition to this, Hamburg authorities announced an investment of 18 million euros into the city’s experimental autonomous vehicle programme for public transport. The investment came from the German Federal Ministry for Transport. This development further underscores the shift happening within the transportation & logistics in Germany sector.

Rising Fuel Prices in Germany

German consumers experienced the fastest price increases, primarily driven by the sharp rise in energy and food prices following the Russia-Ukraine War. Moreover, Germany is one of the world's largest natural gas importers. According to an article published on Clean Energy Wire in October 2023, Germany is expecting a fuel price increase starting in 2027 due to the EU emissions trading system. The anticipated rise includes an additional 38 cents per liter of petrol and about 3 cents per kilowatt-hour of natural gas compared to 2026. Germany needs to devise a plan to address these potential price hikes as it transitions from its national carbon pricing for transport and heating fuels to the EU-wide emissions trading system (ETS II) in 2027. The European Union has decided to implement a second emissions trading system for the transport and building sectors, alongside its existing system for energy and industry. Germany will need to align its current national CO2 pricing scheme with this new system. The German system is set to transition from a fixed-price model to a trading system with capped emissions by 2026, but Agora is advocating for this change to occur earlier, in 2025, with an established price corridor. These changes could reshape logistics Germany statistics as operators rework pricing and supply strategies.

Strong Transport Networks Boosting Freight Efficiency

The logistics sector benefits from dense and highly functional transport systems. The Autobahn extends more than 13,000 kilometers and supports fast road movement across domestic and cross-border routes. Rail freight is equally significant, with a well-coordinated network connecting major industrial hubs to seaports. Hamburg and Bremerhaven are among the busiest ports in Europe, handling massive container volumes each year. Key airports such as Frankfurt provide fast turnaround for high-value cargo, especially in international trade. The integration between roads, rail, air, and sea allows seamless switching across modes. With consistent maintenance and investment, this infrastructure ensures reliable freight operations and competitive delivery times, giving logistics companies an edge in cost and speed. This advanced setup contributes significantly to the German freight and logistics market.

Industrial Production Keeping Freight in Constant Motion

A strong industrial base, especially in automotive, chemicals, and machinery, keeps freight services in continuous demand. These sectors rely heavily on inbound materials and outbound goods movement, often tied to tightly scheduled supply chains. Just-in-time delivery is the standard for auto manufacturing and requires dependable logistics at every stage. As many of these goods are destined for export, there is a steady flow of freight to ports and borders. Logistics firms have tailored services for industrial clients, offering time-sensitive transport, warehousing close to plants, and supply chain visibility tools. Industrial output directly fuels the logistics market and reinforces the need for scalable, precision-driven freight systems. This demand is a key pillar of the Germany contract logistics segment.

Central European Location Enhancing Freight Connectivity

Being positioned in the heart of Europe makes the country a natural freight corridor. It shares borders with nine nations, enabling easy access to both Western and Eastern Europe. Road and rail links provide uninterrupted movement across regions, while inland waterways connect cities to seaports for cargo transit. Many global logistics companies use this geographic advantage to establish central hubs that serve multiple countries from one location. Cross-border flows are smooth, supported by EU-wide trade agreements and efficient customs handling. Whether goods are passing through or staying within the region, this central placement helps reduce transit distances and shipping times for a wide range of cargo. These geographic and infrastructural strengths bolster the Europe freight and logistics network.

Online Retail Growth Reshaping Freight Operations

The surge in online shopping has redefined logistics expectations. Consumers now demand faster deliveries, predictable tracking, and flexible handoff options. Warehouses have expanded near city centers to reduce travel time, and last-mile carriers have adopted digital tools to manage deliveries more efficiently. What used to be large bulk movements has shifted toward smaller, more frequent parcels heading directly to customers. Freight companies have had to adapt by offering scalable solutions that can flex during high-demand periods like holiday seasons. In rural areas, delivery access has improved through local distribution setups and partnerships. E-commerce is not just about added volume; it is also about transforming how freight is planned, executed, and monitored. These shifts are creating ripple effects throughout the Germany logistics market.

Germany Freight and Logistics Market Segmentation:

IMARC Group provides an analysis of the key trends in each segment of the market, along with forecasts at the country level for 2025-2033. Our report has categorized the market based on logistics function and end use industry.

Logistics Function Insights:

• Courier, Express and Parcel
  • By Destination Type
    • Domestic
    • International
• Freight Forwarding
  • By Mode of Transport
    • Air
    • Sea and Inland Waterways
    • Others
• Freight Transport
  • By Mode of Transport
    • Air
    • Pipelines
    • Rail
    • Road
    • Sea and Inland Waterways
• Warehousing and Storage
  • By Temperature Control
    • Non-Temperature Controlled
    • Temperature Controlled
• Others

The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the logistics function. This includes courier, express and parcel [by destination type (domestic and international)], freight forwarding [by mode of transport (air, sea and inland waterways, and others)], freight transport [by mode of transport (air, pipelines, rail, road, and sea and inland waterways)], warehousing and storage [by temperature control (non-temperature controlled and temperature controlled)], and others.

End Use Industry Insights:

• Agriculture, Fishing and Forestry
• Construction
• Manufacturing
• Oil and Gas, Mining and Quarrying
• Wholesale and Retail Trade
• Others

A detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the end use industry have also been provided in the report. This includes agriculture, fishing and forestry, construction, manufacturing, oil and gas, mining and quarrying, wholesale and retail trade, and others.

Regional Insights:

• Western Germany
• Southern Germany
• Eastern Germany
• Northern Germany

The report has also provided a comprehensive analysis of all the major regional markets, which include Western Germany, Southern Germany, Eastern Germany, and Northern Germany. 

Competitive Landscape:

The market research report has also provided a comprehensive analysis of the competitive landscape in the market. Competitive analysis such as market structure, key player positioning, top winning strategies, competitive dashboard, and company evaluation quadrant has been covered in the report. Also, detailed profiles of all major companies have been provided.

Germany Freight and Logistics Market News:

• In June 2025, Germany's transport logistics trade fair opened in Munich, led by Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder. The event focuses on global supply chain shifts, digital solutions, and decarbonization. With 2,670 exhibitors from over 70 countries, 65% of them international, the fair grew by 15% from 2023. Expanded to 150,000 m², it highlights Germany’s role in freight and logistics, expecting around 80,000 trade visitors.
• In January 2025, Rheinmetall secured a Bundeswehr contract to deliver 568 military logistics vehicles, worth over EUR 330 Million. The deal includes 349 UTF trucks and 219 swap-body trucks, 121 with protected cabs. Deliveries began in 2025, continuing into 2026. This order follows a EUR 3.5 Billion framework from July 2024, enabling flexible procurement. Rheinmetall delivered a record 2,015 vehicles in 2024, reinforcing its role in modernizing Germany’s military logistics fleet.
• In January 2024, Dachser launched a new product throughout Europe, "Targo on-site fix", which supports its customers’ omnichannel concepts and allows for complete flexibility when arranging delivery dates. It was a part of its plan to expand its B2C delivery services in Europe.
• In January 2024, Kuehne + Nagel announced its Book & Claim insetting solution for electric vehicles to improve its decarbonization solutions. Developing Book & Claim insetting solutions for road freight is a strategic priority for Kuehne + Nagel. Customers using Kuehne + Nagel's road transport services can now claim the carbon reductions of electric trucks, even when it’s not feasible to physically move their goods using these vehicles. 

Germany Freight and Logistics Market Report Coverage:

Key Benefits for Stakeholders:

• IMARC’s industry report offers a comprehensive quantitative analysis of various market segments, historical and current market trends, market forecasts, and dynamics of the Germany freight and logistics market from 2019-2033.
• The research report provides the latest information on the market drivers, challenges, and opportunities in the Germany freight and logistics market.
• Porter's five forces analysis assist stakeholders in assessing the impact of new entrants, competitive rivalry, supplier power, buyer power, and the threat of substitution. It helps stakeholders to analyze the level of competition within the Germany freight and logistics industry and its attractiveness.
• Competitive landscape allows stakeholders to understand their competitive environment and provides an insight into the current positions of key players in the market.