Swiss Rhine Ports saw a 15.2% drop in June cargo, but first-half volumes rose slightly. Imports fell, while exports faced sharper declines.
The Swiss Rhine Ports handled 363,303 tons of goods on the water side in June 2026, down 15.2 per cent from a year earlier, reports Basel's Loginfo24.
Despite the weak month, first-half volumes edged up 0.6 per cent to 2.323 million tons. Imports fell 13.7 per cent in June to 300,128 tons but remained 3.9 per cent higher year to date at 1.883 million tons. Stones and earth rose 37.7 per cent, vehicles and machinery 32 per cent, and metal products 14.9 per cent. However, mineral oil products dropped 6.6 per cent and food and beverages 12.2 per cent.
Exports declined more sharply. June shipments fell 21.8 per cent to 63,174 tons, while cumulative removals reached 439,942 tons, down 11.3 per cent. Recycling and waste exports held steady, and metal products rose compared with the first half of last year.
Kleinhuningen was the only port section to grow in June, up 6.3 per cent to 100,415 tons. Auhafen fell 28 per cent and Birsfelden 18.1 per cent, though Birsfelden remained 4.1 per cent higher for the half year. Kleinhuningen gained 1.1 per cent over the same period.
Container traffic on the water side weakened, with June volumes at 8,717 TEU, the lowest monthly figure of 2026. First-half totals reached 57,552 TEU. In contrast, rail-side traffic improved, hitting a yearly high of 4,964 TEU in June and totaling 26,172 TEU for the half year.
The figures show a mixed picture, with June imports and exports lagging but overall first-half handling slightly higher. Construction and metal goods remained robust, while rail-side container traffic gained importance.
