Maritime passengers in EU up by 18.8 million in 2024

In 2024, ports across the European Union registered around 412.3 million maritime passengers. This marks an increase of 18.8 million compared with the previous year, continuing the steady rebound of the maritime transport sector following the significant downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Continued recovery across EU ports

The growth reflects the gradual normalization of passenger traffic after several years of pandemic-related disruptions. Key coastal nations, including Italy, Greece, Spain, and France, reported substantial rises in ferry and cruise activity. Increased mobility within the EU and renewed demand for coastal tourism contributed to the upward trend.

Context and comparison

According to Eurostat, maritime passenger numbers are still below pre-pandemic peaks but show consistent annual growth since 2022. The data underscores the resilience of Europe’s maritime sector and the importance of intra-EU passenger routes for both tourism and regional economies.

“EU ports recorded 412.3 million passengers in 2024, as the sector continued to show signs of recovery after the COVID-affected slump.”

Author’s summary:
EU maritime ports handled 412.3 million passengers in 2024, 18.8 million more than in 2023, confirming the transport sector’s strong post-pandemic recovery trend.

European Commission — 2025-11-27