The European Union recorded a strong €36.3 billion surplus in transport services trade in 2024, reinforcing its position as a global leader in the sector despite a cooling growth
trend following recent volatility.
According to the latest data, EU countries exported transport services worth €258.7 billion to partners outside the bloc, while imports totalled €222.4 billion. Although both figures rose compared to 2023—exports by 3.6% and imports by 4.7%—the pace of growth suggests the market is entering a phase of stabilisation after the sharp surge seen in 2022, when energy prices drove transport costs significantly higher.
The EU’s surplus in transport services has now persisted for over a decade, from 2014 through 2024, underlining the bloc’s enduring competitiveness in global logistics, shipping, and aviation.
Maritime transport continues to dominate the sector, accounting for more than half of all exports (52.4%) and a substantial share of imports (44.6%). Air transport follows as the second-largest segment, contributing 27.7% of exports and 29.7% of imports. Other transport services represent a smaller but notable portion, while postal and courier services make up just over 4% of both exports and imports.
The United States remained the EU’s largest trading partner for transport services in 2024, receiving €45.9 billion in exports, or 17.8% of the total. The United Kingdom ranked second with €35.6 billion (13.7%), followed by Switzerland (€21.4 billion), China excluding Hong Kong (€20.5 billion), and Singapore (€11.2 billion).
On the import side, the same countries dominated. The United States led with €35.6 billion (16.0%), ahead of the United Kingdom (€24.1 billion) and China excluding Hong Kong (€16.9 billion). Switzerland and Singapore rounded out the top five suppliers.
Overall, the figures point to a resilient but moderating transport services sector, with the EU maintaining a solid trade advantage while adjusting to more stable global economic conditions. Photo by Roman Boed from The Netherlands, Wikimedia commons.