| Study Period | 2019 - 2030 |
| Base Year For Estimation | 2024 |
| Forecast Data Period | 2025 - 2030 |
| Market Size (2025) | USD 6.31 Billion |
| Market Size (2030) | USD 7.82 Billion |
| CAGR (2025 - 2030) | 4.40 % |
| Market Concentration | Low |
Major Players
*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order |
Netherlands Maritime Market Analysis
The Netherlands Sea Freight Transport Market size is estimated at USD 6.31 billion in 2025, and is expected to reach USD 7.82 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 4.4% during the forecast period (2025-2030).
The Netherlands is the maritime center of Europe. It is also home to one of the strongest and most complete maritime clusters in the world. Its all-round suitability and high standards characterize the maritime cluster in the Netherlands.
This strong position is made possible by a multifaceted maritime industry, a very diverse fleet of sea-going vessels, Europe’s largest inland navigation fleet, and the highest port capacity in Europe. In addition, the Netherlands is a global leader in the provision of offshore services and the development of complex maritime systems.
Over half the freight transported to and from the Netherlands is carried by seagoing vessels. At seaport terminals, cargo is transhipped for further transport by road, rail, waterways, and pipelines.
The government of the Netherlands has been actively supporting the development of the Dutch Maritime Network (Stichting Nederland Maritiem Land) and the branding of its trademark “Maritime by Holland.”
The government also intends to strengthen the position of seaports, for example, by further developing Maasvlakte 2 in Rotterdam, through new sea locks in IJmuiden and Terneuzen, and by investing in roads, railways, and waterways that connect to ports. This will boost the maritime industry's growth in the Netherlands.
Netherlands Maritime Market Trends
Cross Border E-commerce Growth
Global e-commerce expansion continues to redefine the shape and complexity of supply chains. It is no secret that the world of e-commerce has been booming for a while. The popularity of online shopping continues to increase rapidly in the Netherlands. Dutch cross-border e-commerce is increasing significantly, with 95% of Dutch consumers shopping online nowadays, according to a survey. Over Q1 2023, Dutch consumers spent approximately EUR 1 billion (USD 1.08 billion) on foreign e-commerce sites. This figure is higher than that obtained in the previous quarter and an increase of about EUR 100 million (USD 107.62 million) when compared to the same period in 2022.
It is interesting to note that China is one of the most popular countries for cross-border purchases originating in the Netherlands. According to a Cross-Border E-commerce Shopper Survey conducted in 2022, about four out of ten Dutch respondents who purchased goods online from outside the country did so through a website in China. The growth of cross-border ecommerce promotes international trade. The growing cross-border ecommerce is supporting the growth of the maritime industry in the Netherlands.
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Re-exports Contributing to the Market Growth
In 2022, the Netherlands exported EUR 731.4 billion (USD 787.13 billion) worth of goods, of which EUR 368.3 billion concerned re-exports. It is the first time that the value of re-exports exceeded domestic exports. Statistics Netherlands (CBS) reports this in conjunction with the publication Dutch Trade in Facts and Figures 2023. In 2022, the value of re-exports was nearly 58% higher than in the pre-pandemic year 2019. As a result, the total export value also increased by EUR 236.5 billion (USD 254.52 billion) (48%). The larger increase in the value of re-exports is partly due to the relatively sharp rise in re-exports of mineral fuels. These saw a substantial price increase in 2022, partly due to the outbreak of the war in Ukraine.
In 2022, more than half (55%) of Dutch goods exports were destined for the five main export partners: Germany, Belgium, France, the United Kingdom and the United States. Exports to nearby trading partners, in particular, consisted largely of re-exports. For Germany, France, Italy, and Spain, the share amounted to more than 60% in 2022. Re-exports of crude petroleum and (liquefied) natural gas play a major role here. When looking at exports to the UK, domestic exports are most important, with re-exports accounting for 41%. These re-exports contributed to the growth of the maritime industry in the Netherlands in 2022.
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Netherlands Maritime Industry Overview
The maritime industry of the Netherlands is fragmented in nature, with a mix of global and local players, which makes the sector highly competitive. Some of the strong players in the country include Maersk, NileDutch, Eimskip, DFDS, Nirint Shipping B.V.
Local enterprises dominate the market in the Netherlands. The growth of cross-border e-commerce has aided the majority of firms in expanding their operations. The Netherlands' imports and exports rely heavily on sea freight transportation, which allows companies to capture a large portion of the market.
Netherlands Maritime Market Leaders
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DFDS
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Nirint Shipping B.V.
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De Poli Tankers Holding BV
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Unifeeder
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Wilson
- *Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
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Netherlands Maritime Market News
June 2023: Albert Heijn, often abbreviated to AH and informally to Appie, is the largest supermarket chain in the Netherlands. Albert Heijn stopped flying in unprocessed fruit and vegetables. From 1 June 2023, fruit and vegetables, such as sugar snaps, haricots verts and passion fruit, are only transported via sea container or road transport.
July 2023: Netherlands-based ZHD Stevedores ordered the first all-electric transshipment crane CBG 500 E from Liebherr. The crane, which was recently launched on the market, has a lifting capacity of up to 105 tonnes in hook operation and a maximum grab capability of up to 90 tonnes. The crane will be used for bulk handling in the area of Rotterdam and the ZHD terminals in Dordrecht and Moerdijk.
Netherlands Maritime Industry Segmentation
The maritime industry is responsible for the transportation of goods, products, and people by sea. This includes everything from container ships, and oil tankers, to cruise ships and passenger ferries to smaller vessels like fishing boats.
The Netherlands maritime industry is segmented by service (water transport services, vessel leasing and rental services, cargo handling (container services, crane services, stevedoring services, etc.), and supporting service activities to water transport (shipping agencies, ship brokering services, ship management services, etc.).
The report offers market size and forecasts for all the above segments in terms of value (USD).
| By Service | Freight Transport Services |
| Vessel Leasing and Rental Services | |
| Cargo Handling (Container Services, Crane Services, Stevedoring Services, etc) | |
| Supporting Service Activities to Water Transport (Shipping Agencies, Ship Brokering Services, Ship Management Services, etc) |
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Netherlands Maritime Market Research FAQs
How big is the Netherlands Sea Freight Transport Market?
The Netherlands Sea Freight Transport Market size is expected to reach USD 6.31 billion in 2025 and grow at a CAGR of 4.40% to reach USD 7.82 billion by 2030.
What is the current Netherlands Sea Freight Transport Market size?
In 2025, the Netherlands Sea Freight Transport Market size is expected to reach USD 6.31 billion.
Who are the key players in Netherlands Sea Freight Transport Market?
DFDS, Nirint Shipping B.V., De Poli Tankers Holding BV, Unifeeder and Wilson are the major companies operating in the Netherlands Sea Freight Transport Market.
What years does this Netherlands Sea Freight Transport Market cover, and what was the market size in 2024?
In 2024, the Netherlands Sea Freight Transport Market size was estimated at USD 6.03 billion. The report covers the Netherlands Sea Freight Transport Market historical market size for years: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024. The report also forecasts the Netherlands Sea Freight Transport Market size for years: 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029 and 2030.
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Netherlands Sea Freight Transport Industry Report
Statistics for the 2025 Netherlands Sea Freight Transport market share, size and revenue growth rate, created by Mordor Intelligence™ Industry Reports. Netherlands Sea Freight Transport analysis includes a market forecast outlook for 2025 to 2030 and historical overview. Get a sample of this industry analysis as a free report PDF download.
