FIRST quarter container volume in the Port of Rotterdam increased 7.6 per cent year on year to 3.1 million TEU, the port authority announced.
"The growth can be explained by the economic recovery in Europe and the relocation of transshipment cargo from other ports to Rotterdam," said the port authority.
"The record for 'largest container vessel in the world' was broken twice, and it has now been announced that MOL, CMA CGM and OOCL will set new records," said the statement.
"Rotterdam is more easily accessible than rival ports, which translates into a 70 per cent increase in the number of second calls. Increasingly, Rotterdam is the first and last port of call," said the port authority.
Said port authority CEO Allard Castelein: "The positive trend in the handling of mineral oil products and LNG is striking. After declining last year, oil products are now experiencing a strong recovery."
Dry bulk fell by 5.1 per cent to 21.9 million tonnes. Ore imports were 6.8 per cent down as a result of a decrease in imports for the German steel industry.
Steel consumption might be increasing slightly, Mr Castelein noted, but more steel is being imported from China. Coal throughput fell 1.1 per cent. Both last winter and this winter were mild, which led to low demand.
Agribulk throughput was 12.4 per cent down due to the good harvests in Europe and the weak euro, which made imports by sea less necessary and attractive. In the first quarter, 3.9 per cent less other dry bulk was handled.
Liquid bulk was up 14.7 per cent to 56.5 million tonnes. All sectors recorded a rise here. 6.9 per cent more crude oil was handled, which indicates that refinery margins have improved thanks to the low price of oil and that more oil was refined.
Breakbulk throughput was 4.4 per cent up, to 6.4 million tonnes. Roll-on/roll-off traffic, focused primarily on the UK, grew 10.6 per cent due to the strong British economy and strong British Pound.
Other general cargo fell by 17.1 per cent compared to 2014, which was exceptionally good. This mainly concerns steel, non-ferrous metals, paper, fruit and project cargo.
WORLD SHIPPING
19 April 2015 - 18:17
Rotterdam quarterly box volume up 7.6pc to 3.1 million TEU
FIRST quarter container volume in the Port of Rotterdam increased 7.6 per cent year on year to 3.1 million TEU, the port authority announced.
WORLD SHIPPING
19 April 2015 - 18:17
Rotterdam quarterly box volume up 7.6pc to 3.1 million TEU
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