Vehicle Shipping Services in European Union 2026: Industry Statistics & Trends

The vehicle shipping services industry in the European Union involves the specialized transport, distribution, and multimodal logistics of finished passenger vehicles and commercial assets across member states. The sector is moving toward integrated multimodal setups, combining road car-carriers with roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) shipping and rail transport to handle shifting trade lanes and electrification demands. According to official data from the Association of European Vehicle Logistics (ECG), the European finished vehicle logistics sector generated an aggregate direct turnover of approximately €21.3 billion as of 2026, directly employing more than 93,000 citizens.

Industry snapshot

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What does the Vehicle Shipping Services in European Union industry cover?

The industry encompasses specialized logistics services designed for the transport and distribution of new and used finished vehicles, including passenger cars, light commercial vehicles, and heavy trucks. The scope covers overland transport via specialized car-carrying trucks, specialized block trains, and maritime short-sea or deep-sea Ro-Ro shipping. Operations are closely integrated with technical value-added services such as pre-delivery inspections (PDI), software flashing, and electric vehicle battery state-of-charge management.

• •Involves overland road transport, rail networks, and short-sea shipping connecting European assembly plants and import ports.
• •Covers automotive logistics technical services, storage yards, and customized inland transport of single or full-truck loads.
• •Excludes generic containerized cargo freight unless configured specifically for multi-car container racking systems.

Who operates in the industry and how is it structured?

The European market features a combination of asset-heavy transport providers operating dedicated vehicle-carrying truck fleets, rail wagons, and vessel networks alongside asset-light freight forwarders. Maritime transit relies heavily on key European Ro-Ro hubs that coordinate cross-border distribution. According to the 2026 ECG Port Report, the Belgian Port of Antwerp-Bruges remains the leading Ro-Ro port by volume in Europe, followed by Germany's Bremerhaven and Emden, and Slovenia's Port of Koper.

• •ECG members collectively operate across 77 million square meters of storage compound capacity and over 26,000 car-carrier trucks.
• •Slovenia's Port of Koper is actively expanding its facilities to target a 1-million-unit annual vehicle volume handling mark.
• •The sector supports intensive cross-border trade, with major automotive hubs located in Germany, France, Spain, and Poland.

What drives demand in the industry?

Demand is driven directly by new vehicle registration volumes, changes in regional manufacturing footprints, and the rise of international automotive imports. The expansion of electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing within the EU, combined with incoming shipments from global production lines, requires tailored transport configurations. Additionally, the cross-border trade of fleet vehicles, company re-locations, and international dealer transfers sustains steady baseline transport demand.

• •New vehicle sales and OEM assembly plant output dictate bulk regional distribution volumes.
• •Rising market share of electric vehicles creates secondary demand for specialized transport safety and heavy weight-capacity carriers.
• •Cross-border automotive commerce necessitates regulatory document support including the standard CMR transport document.

Who are the notable companies in the industry?

The competitive environment features massive multinational logistics groups operating extensive multi-modal networks alongside specialized regional asset operators. Due to strict operational requirements and high capital costs for vehicle-carrying equipment, the leading specialized operators capture a significant market share. Prominent publicly traded and major international corporate operators delivering these services within the European Union include DSV A/S, CMA CGM Group (operating via its subsidiary CEVA Logistics), and GEODIS, alongside specialized industrial providers such as BLG Logistics Group AG & Co. KG.

• •DSV A/S operates widespread global and European overland, air, and sea freight logistics networks.
• •CMA CGM Group delivers integrated automotive finished vehicle logistics following its strategic acquisitions and expansion of CEVA Logistics.
• •BLG Logistics Group AG & Co. KG maintains significant specialized vehicle terminal operations at major European ports like Bremerhaven.

What are the recent trends and outlook?

The industry is experiencing shifting trade dynamics due to rising global transport route disruptions and a rapid influx of alternative fuel vehicles requiring adjusted handling rules. Technical working groups are adapting standards to accommodate the distinct weight and safety profiles of modern electric vehicles. Furthermore, technical automation, digital platform quoting, and artificial intelligence for fleet tracking are modernizing operational efficiency across EU corridors.

• •The ECG Quality Working Group published a revised Electric Vehicle State of Charge table in 2026 to govern transport safety limits.
• •Global supply chain friction, including risks in the Red Sea and Strait of Hormuz, has altered maritime arrival schedules at EU ports.
• •Automated booking systems and cloud platforms like Autoholly are expanding to offer instant cross-border vehicle transport quotes.

How is the industry regulated?

Operations must comply with rigorous European Union transportation, environmental, and cross-border commercial frameworks. Road transport operators are bound by strict driving time mandates, cabotage rules, and documentation standards. Cross-border commercial activities are regulated by harmonized European Commission tax and customs guidelines.

• •Cross-border shipping relies on standard EU vehicle-registration formalities, proof of tax, and proper insurance validation.
• •Vehicle trading and transport within the EU utilize the VIES VAT-Number Check to implement the reverse-charge mechanism legally.
• •Cross-border vehicle registration is accelerated by the official Certificate of Conformity (CoC) under EU Type Approval rules.

Government, statistical and trade sources used for this Claight analysis.

• Association of European Vehicle Logistics (ECG) Annual Updates 2026 ·
• Eurostat Road Freight Transport Statistics 2024-2026 ·
• European Commission Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport Guidelines 2026