Port of Rotterdam holds on to growth

In the first half of 2008, 213 million tonnes of cargo were handled in the port of Rotterdam, 7.7% more than the first half of 2007. Outgoing trade was up 5.2% and incoming trade 8.6%. Bulk cargo throughput increased by 9.3%, over twice as much as general cargo (4.4%).

There was a positive trend in the transshipment of agribulk (+29%), ores and scrap (+14%), coal (+9%), crude oil (+11%), other liquid bulk (+18%), roll on/roll off (+3%) and containers (+7%). In numbers, container throughput was up 4% to 5.4 million TEU. Imports of other dry bulk (-8%) and other general cargo (-18%) were down. Transshipment figures for other mineral liquid bulk remained stable.

Port of Rotterdam Authority CEO Hans Smits said, ?hese are the best half-yearly results for the past ten years, with a second quarter that was even slightly better than the first. The second half of the year has got off to an encouraging start, but the port won? be able to escape the effects of the falling economic growth in Asia in particular, and to a lesser extent Western Europe.

On the other hand, a complete port like Rotterdamcan continue to benefit from those countries or sectors which are continuing to grow (more). We are strengthening our position, for example in the Baltic area, in biofuels and in steel. All in all, I therefore remain optimistic and expect us to show 4% growth for the year as a whole. Around 420 million tonnes in throughput. <Korea Shipping Gazette>