DE Prefix and Three Characters
A Germany UN/LOCODE normally starts with the ISO2 prefix DE followed by three location characters. The complete five-character code identifies the relevant place in international trade documentation.
Seaports in Germany: Port Codes, Throughput & Regional Guide (2026)
Germany has 227 ports and terminals indexed in the Ecer Freight database, supporting one of Europe’s most important maritime gateways for containerised trade, industrial cargo and multimodal distribution.
Compare port codes, regional cargo roles, published throughput indicators and practical shipping information for Germany.
Germany Port Overview
Germany’s seaport system connects North Sea gateways with Central European manufacturing, retail and distribution markets. Published cargo statistics and league-table rankings use different scopes from Ecer Freight’s indexed port and terminal coverage.
227
Germany ports & terminals indexed in our database
Ecer Freight database · Oct 2026
—
Total seaborne cargo handled, 2025; YoY change subject to official final release
Destatis · 2025
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National container throughput, 2025; YoY change subject to port-scope definition
German port authorities · 2025
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Commercial berths, 2025; YoY change not consolidated nationally
Federal maritime sources · 2025
How many seaports does Germany have?
Germany has 227 seaports and terminals indexed by Ecer Freight in its country database as of October 2026. This is an indexed-coverage figure, not a statutory count of every facility.
Which indexed ports are among the busiest?
The indexed ranking places Santos (BRSTS), Santos (BRSSZ) and Itajai (BRIJI) among the leading database entries. Port-level comparisons should be checked against the applicable national and port-authority scope.
Which cargo regions matter most for Germany?
Germany’s maritime logistics are generally concentrated around North Sea gateways and their inland rail, barge and road corridors. The indexed sample also includes Paranagua (BRPAR), Vitoria (BRVIT) and Fortaleza (BRFOR) as database records requiring code-level verification.
Leading Indexed Port Records
The table below follows the supplied Ecer Freight sample order. It is an indexed-record view rather than an official Germany port league table; published Germany-specific throughput figures should be confirmed with the relevant port authority.
Indexed port records and publicly comparable throughput indicators
Germany Port Regions and Cargo Roles
Indexed Atlantic Gateway Records
These records are shown exactly as supplied in the Ecer Freight sample. City and province fields are reproduced only where provided.
Port, code, location and cargo role
Indexed Southern Records
The following entries are included in the supplied sample and should be validated before being used for a Germany routing decision.
Port, code, location and cargo role
| Port | UN-LOCODE | City / Province | Main cargo role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paranagua | BRPAR | Paranagua | Bulk, agricultural and container record |
| Vitoria | BRVIT | Vitoria | Bulk and general cargo record |
| Fortaleza | BRFOR | Fortaleza | Container and regional cargo record |
| Rio De Janeiro | BRRDJ | Rio De Janeiro | General and container cargo record |
Additional Indexed Terminal Records
Terminal-level entries may represent a facility, a city-level location or a duplicate naming convention. Code validation is important before booking.
Port, code, location and cargo role
| Port | UN-LOCODE | City / Province | Main cargo role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Navegantes | BRNVT | Navegantes | Container and regional cargo record |
| Navegantes | BRNAV | Santa Catarina | Container and terminal record |
| Rio Grande | BRRGR | Rio Grande | Container, bulk and general cargo record |
| Pecem | BRPEC | Pecem | Container and industrial cargo record |
Germany Port Codes and UN/LOCODEs
City-Level and Terminal-Level Codes
A city-level code and a terminal or facility record may appear as separate entries. Shippers should match the code to the bill of lading, booking confirmation, customs filing and actual place of receipt.
How to Verify a Code
Check the UNECE UN/LOCODE list and compare it with the Ecer Freight port directory. The supplied sample contains records requiring validation against the applicable country prefix.
Shipping from Germany: Main Trade Lanes
Germany’s shipping network typically links North Sea gateways with Asia, North America, the Mediterranean, the Middle East and short-sea European markets. Transit times are indicative and subject to carrier, port, routing and seasonal conditions.
Germany–East Asia
A major container corridor serving machinery, automotive products, electronics, chemicals and consumer goods.
Germany–North America
Regular services support industrial exports, automotive supply chains and inbound retail cargo.
Germany–Mediterranean and Middle East
Services connect German distribution centres with Mediterranean, Gulf and Red Sea markets.
Germany–European Short Sea
Feeder, ro-ro and short-sea services support regional distribution and multimodal European supply chains.
Data Sources and Methodology
- Ecer Freight Ports Database — first-party indexed coverage of 227 Germany port and terminal records, database snapshot October 2026.
- UNECE UN/LOCODE — international location-code structure and country-prefix reference.
- Destatis — official German transport and maritime-statistics framework, subject to release timing and statistical scope.
- Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport — Germany’s federal maritime and shipping policy context.
- Hamburg Port Authority — port-specific operational and infrastructure information where applicable.
Germany Port FAQ
How many seaports does Germany have?
Germany has 227 seaports and terminals indexed by Ecer Freight as of October 2026. The figure represents database coverage and is not a statutory national port count.
What is Germany’s largest or busiest seaport?
Hamburg is generally recognised as Germany’s leading container port by published port activity. Exact rankings vary by year, cargo scope and whether container terminals or total cargo are measured.
What does a Germany port code look like?
A Germany UN/LOCODE normally begins with DE and is followed by three location characters. The code should be checked against UNECE and the actual booking or customs documents.
Which regions are important for Germany sea freight?
The North Sea gateway cluster is central to Germany’s ocean freight network, with inland connections by rail, barge and road to major industrial and distribution regions.
How current is the Germany port data?
The indexed coverage is based on an October 2026 snapshot. Port throughput and operational statistics are time-sensitive and should be checked against the latest official 2025 or subsequent release.
Can I request FCL or LCL rates from Germany?
Yes. FCL rates are available through the FCL sea freight quote page, while consolidated shipments can be reviewed through the LCL sea freight quote page.
Editorial note: Germany port coverage is based on the Ecer Freight database snapshot from October 2026. Official throughput, cargo and infrastructure indicators are reported separately because national, port-authority and terminal statistics may use different definitions and publication schedules. Indexed records and operational details should be rechecked before shipment booking.
Ecer Freight · Seaports in Germany: Port Codes, Throughput & Regional Guide (2026) · Data reviewed quarterly · Port Codes · Ports by Country · Contact