For the first time this century, the Swedish ship register grew in 2025. Sweden was also the only Nordic country to see its register expand. This is shown in the Swedish Transport Analysis agency’s annual report on the international competitiveness of Swedish shipping.

According to international statistics, the cargo-carrying capacity of the Swedish ship register increased by 16 per cent. Looking at the past ten years, the Swedish register has shown positive growth for the first time this century.

Official statistics from the Swedish Transport Analysis agency also show a clear increase. Swedish-registered tonnage grew by 19 per cent in 2025, reaching its highest level of the 2020s.

“The Swedish-flagged fleet is moving in the right direction. After a long period of weak development, we are now seeing several signs that the Swedish register has strengthened its position. Long-term and determined efforts to improve the conditions for the Swedish register have clearly produced results. At the same time, international competition for vessels and shipping companies remains fierce, which means that Sweden needs to continue improving the conditions for shipping,” says Gunnar Eriksson, project manager, in a press release from the Swedish Transport Analysis agency.

However, several challenges remain, according to the agency. Traffic to and from Swedish ports is still below pre-pandemic levels. Passenger numbers are around 15 per cent lower than before Covid-19, while freight volumes are about 10 per cent below their pre-pandemic peak. The Swedish Transport Analysis agency describes the situation as a possible “new normal” for Swedish shipping.

The number of employees working on board vessels also fell in 2025. Interest in advanced maritime education programmes, however, increased. Ahead of the autumn semester of 2026, both the total number of applicants and the number of first-choice applicants increased compared with the previous year. Applications to master mariner programmes reached their highest level in the past decade. At the same time, the proportion of female applicants has increased. Women accounted for 18 per cent of applicants in 2017, rising to 22 per cent in 2026.

The report also highlights the renewed importance of Swedish shipping in national preparedness and security policy. Vessels flying the Swedish flag can be made available to the state in times of crisis and war, something that has become increasingly important following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the deteriorating security situation in Europe.

“There is no doubt that Sweden will remain dependent on shipping for the foreseeable future and that shipping will continue to play a central role in Swedish, European and global transport systems. The global security situation also continues to support the case for placing a high value on Swedish-flagged vessels,” the Swedish Transport Analysis agency writes.

The report also shows that climate regulations are becoming increasingly important for the competitive conditions facing shipping. From 2026, larger vessels are fully covered by the EU Emissions Trading System, while FuelEU Maritime is driving the use of fossil-free fuels. Investments in shore power and new port infrastructure are planned across Europe. For shipping companies, the transition means higher costs in the short term, while the long-term impact on competitiveness will depend on technological developments, the price of alternative fuels and how the new regulations are implemented in practice.

Read the Swedish Transport Analysis report