Solid start to 2025 reaches new heights: Significant increase in container turnover in May

Container traffic at Denmark's largest commercial port has grown significantly in the first half of 2025.

Figures for the month of May show an increase of over 30 percent compared with the same period last year.

That's a growth from 53,212 TEU to 69,583 TEU (TEU =20-foot containers)

Week 22 saw two dashes set during a busy month of May with a new record for the number of containers handled in a single week. The new record is now 19,127 TEU.

The many containers have sailed to Aarhus with significantly more ships. In May, 51 container ships entered the container terminal in Aarhus. That's an increase of over 34 percent.

“I’m pleased that we’ve had a strong start to the year and are seeing a significant increase in container turnover. This comes at a time when new container routes have been added to Aarhus, while growing geopolitical uncertainty is causing major shifts in global trade. These developments are affecting us – and bringing more containers to Aarhus,” says Thomas Haber Borch, CEO of Aarhus Harbour, and continues:

"As Denmark’s largest commercial port, our job is always to ensure the supply, no matter the circumstances – and right now, the circumstances are quite remarkable. That places high demands on the terminal operator, the businesses based at the port, and on ourselves. But despite the pressure on our quay-side areas, we’re in a strong position with high efficiency and competitive operations," says Thomas Haber Borch.

The significant growth in container turnover comes at a time when the market is marked by high levels of uncertainty. Still, there are signs points to continued busy times ahead for the Port of Aarhus.

“It’s difficult to predict what the coming period will look like, as it all depends on global situation. But it does seem that we could be heading into a longer stretch of higher container activity in Aarhus,” says Thomas Haber Borch.

The growth builds on the already solid first four months of 2025, when the Port of Aarhus experienced an increase of over 14 percent compared to the same period in 2024.

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