by EH
In the face of a broader European economic slowdown, the Port of Trieste closed the first quarter of 2025 with largely stable performance, marked by a record-setting surge in container traffic but an overall dip in cargo volume.
According to official figures released on Wednesday, total cargo throughput at the Adriatic hub reached 13.59 million metric tons between January and March—down 4.25% compared to the same period in 2024. The decline was primarily driven by a 12.34% drop in liquid bulk shipments, attributed to scheduled maintenance at several refineries linked to the Transalpine Pipeline (TAL), a key energy conduit.
Despite the contraction in liquid bulk, other segments of the port’s operations demonstrated resilience and, in some cases, exceptional growth.
Container traffic saw its strongest quarter on record, with 237,534 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) handled—an increase of 34.75% year-on-year. March alone accounted for 87,837 TEUs, marking the best March in the port’s recorded history.
Roll-on/roll-off (RO-RO) activity also showed positive trends. Containers transported via RO-RO vessels rose to 31,717 TEUs, a gain of 11.30%. General cargo volumes climbed 14.62% to 4.9 million metric tons, while overall RO-RO units moved through the port totaled 77,618, an increase of 2.35%.
The number of weekly sailings on the so-called “Motorways of the Sea” route to and from Turkey also increased, rising from 209 to 227, a year-on-year growth of 8.61%.
On the downside, solid bulk volumes saw a significant drop of 26.32%, falling to just under 30,000 metric tons. The decline mirrors a slowdown in industrial output across several European markets. However, grain shipments within the solid bulk category offered a modest counterweight, growing 12.23% to 17,773 metric tons.
While the broader European maritime sector continues to grapple with subdued demand and geopolitical volatility, Trieste’s diversified cargo base and growing role in Eurasian logistics corridors appear to be helping buffer the port against wider market headwinds.
