The maritime economy in Germany's "True North"
Sustainable full steam ahead
At the heart of Europe’s thriving maritime economy, Schleswig-Holstein is a prime location for companies in this sector. Europe, a continent with a coastline longer than those of the USA and Russia combined, relies heavily on maritime trade, with ships handling 90% of external trade and 43% of internal EU trade. This positions Schleswig-Holstein as a strategic gateway for businesses seeking growth in this vital industry.
Seaports
Strategically located between the Baltic and North Sea, Schleswig-Holstein's ports are essential nodes in Europe's maritime network. Around 25% of German shipping companies are based here and the region's 30+ ports handle over 13 million passengers and 52 million tons of cargo a year. The six largest ports — Lübeck, Brunsbüttel, Puttgarden, Rendsburg, Flensburg, and Kiel — account for 88% of the state's total maritime throughput. It is also worth noting that: around 70% of the cargo transported through these ports is traded with Baltic countries such as Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Russia.