11. July 2025

10 European ports with the highest growth potential

“Restructuring of supply chains, accelerating digitalization, the imperative of sustainable development, and new relocation strategies such as friendshoring and nearshoring are the primary trends that will drive the growth of European ports in the coming years. The largest ports that have dominated global trade for decades - such as Rotterdam or Hamburg - are approaching their capacity limits. Global challenges and new supply chain strategies mean investors, logistics operators, and manufacturers increasingly choose locations that were until recently considered alternative. Today, they are a natural direction of expansion. Ports such as Gdynia, Valencia, and Rijeka address these needs through flexibility, land availability, openness to automation, and environmental investment. Their advantage also lies in their growing role along strategic trade corridors from the Baltic to the Mediterranean.”

~ Joanna Sinkiewicz, Managing Director at Accolade Poland and Group Commercial Director. 

Szczecin – Świnoujście (Poland) – approx. 400,000 inhabitants (metropolitan area)

Poland’s second-largest port complex. Investments in deepening the fairway to 12.5 m, expansion of the container terminal, and planned LNG and intermodal infrastructure are turning the region into a key Baltic logistics hub. In 2024, throughput reached nearly 76,000 TEU. Proximity to the German border and access to the rail network linking Poland with Germany, the Czech Republic, and Scandinavia increase its strategic importance. Investors such as Accolade - which is developing several modern warehouse assets in the area — are actively leveraging Szczecin’s potential as a port-centric industrial logistics location.

Valencia (Spain) – 790,000 inhabitants

Europe’s fourth-largest port and Spain’s largest, handling over 5.7 million TEU per year. It is emerging as an alternative to congested Barcelona and as a new logistics hub for the Mediterranean. There are intensive investments in green energy, digitalization, and terminal expansion (including the Valencia Port 2030 terminal). The port has excellent connections with North Africa, Latin America, and France, and its growth is also supported by the Mediterranean Corridor. Accolade has already invested here in two projects: Accolade Funds Park Valenzia Picassent, which reached full occupancy very quickly, and Park Valencia Alzira, a modern logistics center with development potential for more than 60,000 sqm of warehousing.

"We believe that ports will become key catalysts of modern industrial logistics across Europe. Their role is evolving from traditional transport nodes into strategic platforms that integrate sustainability, digitalization, and supply chains. At Accolade, we view port cities as natural centers for future expansion, both for our portfolio and for our partners. With rapid infrastructure development and policy measures supporting the green transition, we are ready to deepen our presence in these locations by investing in smart, future-proof logistics parks that meet the demands of a new era."
~ Lukas Repal, Chief Operating Officer, Accolade.

Rijeka (Croatia) – 105,000 inhabitants

A strategic location on the northern Adriatic with 600,000 TEU handled in 2024. Investments are underway in a new container terminal and modernization of the rail line to Hungary and Austria. Rijeka has the potential to relieve congested Western European ports and, thanks to improving transport infrastructure, is increasingly chosen by logistics operators.

Bilbao (Spain) – 350,000 inhabitants

Located in the Basque Country, the port is developing as a modern logistics and industrial hub for northern Spain. With 500,000 TEU handled in 2024, it has one of the most advanced container terminals on the Atlantic coast. The port is investing heavily in decarbonization and digitalization, including LNG infrastructure and hydrogen-related projects. Its proximity to the French border and excellent highway and rail links make Bilbao a key node on the trade route between Spain, France, and the rest of Western Europe.

Gdynia (Poland) – 240,000 inhabitants

The Port of Gdynia has long been considered one of the most dynamic logistics centers in the Baltic Sea region. In 2024, it handled a record 975,000 TEU. Investments are currently underway in the Outer Port — a new deep-water container terminal that will significantly increase capacity and enable the handling of larger vessels, including ocean-going container ships. Gdynia also benefits from being part of the Tri-City area and from strong integration with the rail and road network, serving growing cargo volumes from Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and the Baltic states.

"Polish ports such as Szczecin–Świnoujście and Gdynia are entering a pivotal phase of development. We are seeing their importance in regional and international logistics grow rapidly, and they will now be further supported by the government’s "Polish Sea" program. This initiative includes not only expansion of port infrastructure, but also investments in intermodality, green energy, and the development of the business ecosystem around the ports. If successfully implemented, Poland can become one of the leaders of a new, sustainable logistics model in Central and Eastern Europe. For industrial investors and logistics operators, this is an opportunity to operate closer to end markets and fully harness the potential of the Baltic."
~ Joanna Sinkiewicz.

Genoa (Italy) – 580,000 inhabitants

Genoa is a primary gateway for goods destined for Italy, Switzerland, and southern Germany. A long-term infrastructure transformation (the “Nuova Darsena” project) is underway, and following the reconstruction of the Morandi Bridge, the city’s accessibility has further improved. Intensified investment in rail infrastructure aims to boost intermodality. In 2024, the port handled 1.8 million TEU.

Constanța (Romania) – 270,000 inhabitants

The largest port on the Black Sea, which handled nearly 1 million TEU in 2024. It is gaining importance as an export hub for grain from Ukraine and Central Asia. EU-funded investments are currently modernizing rail infrastructure and container terminals. The Via Carpatia corridor may play a crucial role in the future, strengthening the port’s position as a key logistics node linking the Black Sea with Central and Northern Europe. Modern road infrastructure will facilitate the movement of goods from Ukraine, Asia, and the Middle East, increasing the port’s competitiveness against Western European maritime terminals.

Koper (Slovenia) – 25,000 inhabitants

A small but dynamic port with around 1.1 million TEU handled in 2024. Thanks to the new railway line to Ljubljana and terminal expansion, it has become an alternative to Trieste and Rijeka. It serves the markets of Austria, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and southern Germany, and stands out for operational efficiency and a high level of digitalization.

Piraeus (Greece) – 1.5 million inhabitants (Athens metropolitan area)

The port handles around 4–5 million TEU annually. Although already one of the largest in Europe, its potential is still not fully utilized. Since being taken over by China’s COSCO group (67% stake), Piraeus has undergone intensive modernization — with advances in automation, digitalization, and sustainability. It is a key node on the Asia–Europe route.

Porto (Portugal) – 1.7 million inhabitants (metropolitan area)

The Port of Leixões, located close to central Porto, is evolving into an intelligent container port. In 2024, it handled over 700,000 TEU. The city benefits from lower congestion than Lisbon and from the growing importance of maritime tourism and investment in green technologies, such as solar panels and automation of port operations.

This material was prepared by Accolade experts based on analysis of market data, investment plans, and logistics and industrial trends, as well as discussions with industry partners. It is for information purposes; all listed ports have comparable development potential.