CONTAINER volume increased one per cent to 30 million tonnes year on year at the Port of Rotterdam in the first quarter, but at the same time dropped four per cent to 2.8 million TEU, said port authorities.

"Economic conditions are putting pressure on imports of container cargo, mainly from Asia," said a port authority statement. "Exports of loaded containers are increasing, however," said the statement from the port.

Sixteen per cent fewer empties went back to the east. "As expected, ro-ro traffic remained stable, in line with the development of the British economy. The fall in general cargo can be attributed to the disappointing imports of steel slabs, raw steel from which semi-manufactured products such as steel plates are made," said the statement.

Overall, quarterly volume was up three per cent year on year at 110 million tonnes with agribulk down 15 per cent, iron ore and scrap were down 14 per cent, other dry bulk was down 19 per cent and other general cargo was off 19 per cent.

But coal was up 15 per cent, crude oil six per cent, mineral oil products up 13 per cent and other liquid bulk eight per cent. Imports of LNG and incoming ro-ro were stable.

"The results are better than expected," said Rotterdam port CEO Hans Smits. "According to the prognosis at the end of 2011, there would be a slight fall in the first half, followed by recovery in the second half, with a stable or slightly increased end result.

"From this perspective, we 'laid on some fat' in the first quarter. Whether or not we'll need to draw on it depends on the German and Dutch economies. The former continues to develop positively, while the latter still gives little reason for optimism. Exports to countries outside the EU, the majority of which travel via Rotterdam, provide a ray of hope," said Mr Smits.