The logistics market in the Ruhr area reported a positive interim balance at mid-2026. With a take-up of 280,000 sqm, both the previous year's volume of 201,000 sqm and the ten-year average of 228,000 sqm were significantly surpassed, by 39% and 23% respectively. This development is based on consistently high transaction volumes in individual quarters; the polycentric logistics region has achieved above-average quarterly results since the second quarter of 2025. This is according to an analysis by BNP Paribas Real Estate.
The transaction volume is broadly distributed across the individual quarters and the region's various sub-markets. In the first half of 2026, substantial transaction volumes from the eastern Ruhr area contributed significantly to the result. These include the large deal by pharmaceutical logistics provider Cencora for 33,700 sqm in Dortmund, as well as further transactions by FlexiSpot (20,500 sqm) and Blitz Distribution (17,400 sqm) in Werne. The western market area also experienced strong demand impulses, primarily driven by contracts from Goodcang (29,000 sqm) and Siemens Mobility (20,000 sqm) in Duisburg. Smaller to medium-sized transactions in central locations such as Gelsenkirchen or Essen also contributed to diversifying leasing activity.
After increases in the previous year, rents remained stable in the past six months, confirming their high level. Prime rents of up to 8.00 EUR/sqm are currently being achieved for premium properties, while the average stands at 6.70 EUR/sqm. Christopher Raabe, Managing Director and Head of Logistics & Industrial at BNP Paribas Real Estate GmbH, pointed out that the development of prime rent needs to be considered in a nuanced way: even if an increasing number of contracts are being concluded in or above the prime rent segment of 8.00 EUR/sqm, these are often linked to extensive incentive packages. Therefore, only minor adjustments are expected for the coming months.
Market participants showed broad momentum across almost all size categories. With the exception of large contracts from 20,000 sqm upwards, all categories exceeded their ten-year average volumes by mid-year. In terms of user groups, logistics service providers dominate, following the nationwide trend. They achieved a leasing volume of approximately 183,000 sqm, accounting for a good 65% of market activity. Notably, they stood out not only through very large contracts such as those by Cencora, Goodcang, or Blitz Distribution, but also contributed to 59% of all transactions. In contrast, the retail sector was underrepresented with around 13% in the first half of the year, though this is relativized when considering the close integration of logistics service providers with the distribution processes of globally operating e-commerce companies.
The industrial sector also accounted for almost 13% of take-up with a few deals, including the large lease to Siemens Mobility in Logport in Duisburg-Rheinhausen for 20,000 sqm. The new-build segment significantly contributes to meeting demand, with a volume of over 100,000 sqm of the total take-up, representing a share of 36% and securing the region a top position nationwide.
The performance of the Ruhr area logistics market in the first half of 2026 was remarkable in many respects. An average take-up in the coming months will be sufficient to achieve a higher overall annual result than in the previous year. Demand is expected to remain consistently high, particularly from users in the e-commerce sector and from Asia. The main challenge is to satisfy the often large-scale and short-term requirements of these players. No significant changes are expected in the supply situation, as expiring leases, sublet spaces, and new developments largely ensure sideways movements in available space.
