bayernhafen increases handling by 2.5% in 2025

At its locations in Aschaffenburg, Bamberg, Nuremberg, Roth, Regensburg, and Passau, bayernhafen handled 8.37 million tons of goods by ship and rail last year, representing an increase of 2.5% compared to 2024. These figures underscore the role of bayernhafen locations as significant regional job engines. A recent survey shows that the approximately 400 resident companies employ nearly 16,000 people. Additionally, bayernhafen plans to develop a logistics and industrial park in the Deggendorf district to facilitate further settlements and a shift in transportation.

Environmentally Friendly Transport Modes in Focus

In 2025, the shift of long-distance traffic to the more environmentally friendly transport modes of ship and rail saved approximately 487,000 truck trips. The ship cargo handling amounted to 2.19 million tons, reflecting a growth of 6% compared to the previous year. Rail cargo handling was at 6.19 million tons, which corresponds to an increase of 1.4%. Combined transport (KV) achieved a result of 478,680 TEU, slightly above the previous year’s level (+1%). In addition to containers in seaport hinterland traffic, swap bodies and semi-trailers were also handled in continental traffic.

The expansion of the trimodal KV terminal in bayernhafen Nuremberg is intended to further strengthen combined transport. In early 2026, the construction of three new, more powerful crane systems began, which will increase crane capacity by approximately 20%. This project is funded by the Federal Ministry of Transport.

New Logistics and Industrial Park in Deggendorf

In October 2025, bayernhafen acquired a 52-hectare site of a former paper factory in the Deggendorf district to develop a new logistics and industrial park. The „bayernhafen InfraPark Plattling Stephansposching“ is the first location without a connection to the waterway. Joachim Zimmermann, Managing Director of bayernhafen, emphasizes: „The new location is ideally suited to bring more goods from the road to the rail due to its rail connection and loading infrastructure.“

The new site offers local, regional, and international customers and partners from industry, circular economy, transport, and logistics the opportunity for traffic relocation and settlement. The repurposing of the area creates large-scale settlement opportunities without additional land consumption. Furthermore, the site has high efficiency for various energy forms.

Positive Employment Development and Challenges

In 2025, bayernhafen celebrated its 100th anniversary. A survey shows a positive development in employment at bayernhafen locations. Around 400 companies together employ nearly 16,000 people, representing an increase of 22.7% since 2016. This development underscores the significance of the locations as regional job engines.

Examples of bayernhafen’s role in machinery and plant engineering include the use of bayernhafen Nuremberg by Siemens Energy for the loading of transformers and the connection of Linde Engineering in Passau for large plants.

Joachim Zimmermann calls for a holistic, cross-modal transport concept to address the challenges in the transport sector.

Investments in Infrastructure

The cessation of trailer transport between Regensburg and Hungary at the end of 2025 is expected to be reflected in upcoming transport figures. Zimmermann expresses the desire for longer-term commitment from shippers to sustainably shift large trailer volumes in continental transport to rail. He points to container traffic in the seaport hinterland, which demonstrates how this can be achieved in the long term.

Following the completion of the general renovations of the railway lines Regensburg-Nuremberg and -Passau, a reliable and efficient rail network is anticipated. However, significant impacts due to complete closures and diversion routes are expected during the construction work.

Zimmermann emphasizes the need for proactive financing to avoid a backlog of repairs on waterways. „Ports ensure efficient connections between ship, rail, and truck with their interface function, thus enabling sustainable logistics chains,“ he explains.

For 2026, bayernhafen plans investments of 57 million euros in port infrastructure and logistics areas for companies.

On September 13, 2026, bayernhafen invites the public to a large port festival in Passau to provide interested citizens with insight into the world of logistics.