Now at 12.2 million tons, the volume of goods carried between the Port of Hamburg and the hinterland by inland waterway vessel in 2008 exceeded all previous levels. This marked a 1.5 percent increase on the operating results of the previous year. In Germany as a whole, the shipment of goods by inland waterway vessel in 2008 dropped by 1.6 percent. The most important goods categories were mineral oil products, gases, coal and agricultural and forestry products. The latter chalked up the highest rate of growth last year, followed by chemical products, fertilizers and finished and semi-finished goods, which are generally carried by container. Container transport is of special importance for the Port of Hamburg.