Rotterdam throughput stable

Europe’s busiest container port, Rotterdam, saw overall throughput remain stable during the first quarter of the year.

The Dutch port handled 107 million tonnes of cargo during the first three months of the year, with mixed results depending on the type of cargo.

Year on year, Agribulk jumped 49%, other dry bulk was up 20%, containers grew 12%, other general cargo increased 35% and ro-ro volumes picked up by 8%.

However, crude oil slid 1%, mineral oil products dropped 18% and other liquid bulk was down 2%.

Port of Rotterdam Authority CEO Hans Smits said: “As expected, the abundant growth is over, although 12% for containers is still striking.

“The forecast for this year was and is an increase of about 2%. Taking into account traditional seasonal patterns, and on the basis of confidence on the part of the producers and buyers, that is realistic.”

Container throughput increased 10% year on year to hit 2.9 million teu, mainly thanks to traffic with Asia.

“Intra-European traffic is recovering slowly due to the cautious growth of the British economy,” the Port Authority said. “The harsh Baltic winter also hampered container traffic with Russia.”

The port’s ro-ro volumes increased by 300,000 tonnes in the first quarter, compared to the first quarter of 2010, to reach 4.4 million tonnes. (source: IFW)

Back to archive