Surge in container volumes on direct services between the Port of Gothenburg and Asia

The first half of 2026 was characterised by strong cargo flows through the Port of Gothenburg. Container handling remained at record levels, while all other segments posted positive growth. This is shown in the Port of Gothenburg’s volume report for the period.

During the first six months of the year, 462,000 TEUs were handled at the Port of Gothenburg, in line with the corresponding period in 2025, which was the strongest year by volume in the port’s history. The number of laden containers also increased, while empties decreased, meaning that actual cargo volumes increased even though the total number of units remained unchanged. The increase was driven primarily by continued growth in import volumes, while exports remained at approximately the same level as in the previous year.

The figures also show a clear increase in the proportion of containers shipped on the port’s direct services to and from Asia.

“The Port of Gothenburg is the only port in Sweden to offer direct services for containerised cargo to and from Asia,” said Claes Sundmark, Vice President Sales & Marketing at the Port of Gothenburg. “For Swedish importers and exporters, direct services mean efficient, sustainable and reliable transport with fewer disruption-prone stages. Given the current congestion at many ports across Europe, the advantages of direct services without transhipment are becoming even clearer.”