Intermodal containers specially designed and equipped for carriage by one or more modes of transport market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

The German intermodal container market expanded to 161.8 thousand units by 2019, following a mid-2018 reduction in rail freight tariffs which enhanced the competitiveness of intermodal services. This was accompanied by DB Intermodal Services, a subsidiary of Deutsche Bahn, broadening market access through the sale and rental of sea containers at multiple German locations.

After a contraction to 100.7 thousand units in 2021, the market recovered to 124.3 thousand units in 2022. This rebound coincided with DB Intermodal Services' extensive container handling operations, repairing approximately 55,000 units and operating nine depot sites with significant storage capacity, indicating substantial investment in fleet maintenance and availability.

Market volume reached a new peak of 169.4 thousand units in 2024, driven by continued infrastructure investments. HHLA expanded its intermodal network, deploying new multi-system locomotives through METRANS, while the share of rail in HHLA's intermodal transport volume grew, supported by the ongoing effect of tariff reductions initiated in 2018.

Production intermodal freight containers in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Germany's production of intermodal containers, specially designed for transport across multiple modes, declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 614.7 million US dollars, marking a significant drop of 22.3% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 12.7%, with an average annual decline of 4.4%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 818.3 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 16.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Germany in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, unit

Germany's production of intermodal containers, specially designed for multi-modal transport, fell for the second consecutive year. In 2020, 73,334 units were produced, down 7.4% from the prior year. Between 2017 and 2020, production decreased by 8.2%, equating to an average annual decline of 2.8%. The peak was in 2018 with 84,864 units, which also experienced the largest increase of 6.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Germany in kind, 2017-2020, unit

Exports intermodal freight containers from Germany

Exports in kind, K unit

Germany's exports of intermodal containers, specially designed for carriage by multiple transport modes, increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports reached 41,500 units, up 33.6% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 30.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 9.3%. The lowest value was in 2018 at 29,200 units, which also saw the largest decline of 8.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Germany in kind, 2017-2020, K unit

From 2017 to 2020, Germany's exports of intermodal containers, designed for multi-modal transport, were distributed across numerous markets. The Netherlands accounted for 15.6% of exports in kind, Austria for 13.3%, and France for 12.1%, together making up 41.0% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Germany in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Germany's exports of intermodal containers, specially equipped for transport across various modes, declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 140.3 million US dollars, down 8.2% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 7.3%, with an average annual growth of 2.4%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 168.4 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 28.8%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 9.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Germany in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany's export destinations in value terms remained diverse. Austria accounted for 10.5% of exports in value, the Netherlands for 9.2%, and the United States for 8.0%, together representing just 27.7% of total flows, with no single partner dominating.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Germany in value, 2017-2020

Imports intermodal freight containers to Germany

Imports in kind, K unit

Germany's imports of intermodal containers, specially designed for multi-modal transport, increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports stood at 114,600 units, showing a slight uptick of 0.8% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 3.5%, with an average annual decline of 1.2%. The lowest value was in 2018 at 101,300 units, which also experienced the largest decline of 14.7%. The largest increase was in 2019 at 12.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Germany in kind, 2017-2020, K unit

From 2017 to 2020, Poland, China, and Czechia were the main sources for Germany's imports of intermodal containers, designed for carriage by multiple modes. Poland accounted for 30.4% of imports in kind, China for 27.3%, and Czechia for 10.4%, jointly taking 68.1% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Germany in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, Germany's imports of intermodal containers, specially equipped for transport across various modes, declined. In 2020, imports amounted to 296.3 million US dollars, down 0.9% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 30.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 9.4%. The highest value was in 2019 at 299.0 million US dollars. The largest increase occurred in 2018 at 15.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Germany in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

During 2017-2020, Poland, China, and Czechia were the principal sources for Germany's imports in value terms. Poland accounted for 24.5% of imports in value, China for 21.2%, and Czechia for 10.1%, together making up 55.8% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Germany in value, 2017-2020