Port of Ystad sees strong rebound in Q2 2025
The port of Ystad recorded a clear recovery in the second quarter of 2025, with traffic volumes rising across almost all segments. After a slow start to the year – influenced by external factors such as the war in Ukraine and inflationary pressures on global trade – spring brought renewed momentum.
In brief
The Port of Ystad increased freight volumes in the second quarter of 2025 to 689,925 tonnes, up 9.9 percent year on year, with 700,029 passengers, an increase of 8.0 percent. The number of trucks and trailers at the Port of Ystad reached 54,327, up 11.4 percent, while ship calls fell 7.8 percent to 901. In the first half of 2025, freight volumes totalled 1,298,787 tonnes, a decrease of 1.8 percent. Björn Boström, managing director of the Port of Ystad, pointed to a rebound in rail transport and growth in freight and passenger flows.
Passenger and cargo flows grew strongly, supported by a rebound in rail freight, the continued expansion of the Ystad–Bornholm service, and rising volumes on the strategic Ystad–Świnoujście corridor.
Q2 results highlight recovery
- Cargo volumes: 689,925 tons (+9.9%)
- Trucks and trailers: 54,327 (+11.4%)
- Cars: 204,869 (+7.3%)
- Passengers: 700,029 (+8.0%)
- Vessel calls: 901 (-7.8%)
The Ystad–Świnoujście line showed the strongest rebound, while the Bornholm route maintained steady growth. Rail services also improved significantly, signalling long-term potential for more sustainable transport solutions.
Half-year performance remains stable
- Cargo volumes: 1,298,787 tons (-1.8%)
- Trucks and trailers: 100,664 (+0.9%)
- Cars: 317,132 (+0.9%)
- Passengers: 1,045,180 (+1.1%)
- Vessel calls: 1,616 (-8.9%)
Although first-half figures stayed broadly flat, the strong second quarter suggests a positive trajectory for the rest of the year.
- Q2 was a real boost for our port. The surge in rail traffic and the steady growth in both cargo and passenger flows confirm Ystad’s position as a key hub for trade and transport in the region, said Björn Boström, CEO of port of Ystad.
Growth strategy focuses on ferries, bulk and offshore
The port’s development plan prioritises increasing volumes with current operators, attracting new ferry services, and expanding offshore and bulk cargo operations. In Q2 2025, a new hydraulic crane for bulk handling was commissioned, already enhancing daily operations.
Port of Ystad in numbers
- Sweden’s largest port for ferry traffic to Poland and Bornholm
- 3rd in Sweden by ferry passengers
- 5th by trucks and trailers handled
- 11th by total annual cargo volumes
Ystad continues to set records on the Bornholm route, including an all-time high in car traffic in 2020 despite the pandemic. In 2021, two new ferry berths for vessels up to 250 metres opened, further strengthening the port’s operational capacity and growth potential.
Source: Gazeta Morska · Compiled by: Michał Iwański
Related articles
Energy and offshore Equinor takes over Bałtyk 2 and 3 O&M base in Łeba. Port to serve 1.44 GW of offshore wind for 30 years 
Navy and defence Port Gdański Eksploatacja secures NATO NCAGE code. Gdańsk port company lines up for defence tenders 
Shipbuilding industry Ex-Enterprise towed to Mobile under $418.5m contract. Test case for Nimitz-class disposal begins 
Energy and offshore Energa renames Gdańsk gas plant company as foundations for 6,000-tonne turbine and boiler are laid 
Equipment and technology WB Group takes Polish drones from Tokyo to SOFEX in Jordan in a single week 
Ports and logistics PGE books Gdańsk’s T5 terminal for the long haul: Baltica 2 first, then more offshore wind farms
Comments (0)
The discussion is moderated by the editors: a comment appears after review. Your e-mail address is not published.
Nobody has commented on this article yet.