ROTTERDAM port CEO Boudewijn Siemons stated that due to a second consecutive year of subdued demand and the depletion of retail inventories, rotterdam currently possesses ample available space to manage any potential surge in volume when ocean carriers resume regular transits through the Red Sea, reports New York's Journal of Commerce.
'We can handle it,' said Mr Siemons.
'For two years, you've seen the container volumes decreasing in Northwest Europe and also in the Port of Rotterdam and all the supplies that were built up during Covid-19 and filled the supply chain have now eased their way out.'
As most carriers opt to sail around the Cape of Good Hope to avoid attacks in the Red Sea, weekly vessel schedules are progressively returning to normal.
However, this situation remains dynamic; once the Red Sea is considered safe again, vessels transiting through the Suez Canal will swiftly surpass those circumnavigating Africa, placing strain on destination terminals, inland logistics, and warehouses.
Mr Siemons likened the potential surge in arrivals to the typical winter disruption triggered by storms in the North Sea.
'The supply chain has more room and resilience to deal with these disturbances than during the pandemic,' said Mr Siemons.
'We can absorb it at the Port of Rotterdam, and the disturbances will be relatively minor compared to what we've seen during Covid.'
Mr Siemons said that ocean carriers' return to Suez Canal transits will likely be gradual, which would lessen the impact on Rotterdam's terminals.
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'We can handle it,' said Mr Siemons.
'For two years, you've seen the container volumes decreasing in Northwest Europe and also in the Port of Rotterdam and all the supplies that were built up during Covid-19 and filled the supply chain have now eased their way out.'
As most carriers opt to sail around the Cape of Good Hope to avoid attacks in the Red Sea, weekly vessel schedules are progressively returning to normal.
However, this situation remains dynamic; once the Red Sea is considered safe again, vessels transiting through the Suez Canal will swiftly surpass those circumnavigating Africa, placing strain on destination terminals, inland logistics, and warehouses.
Mr Siemons likened the potential surge in arrivals to the typical winter disruption triggered by storms in the North Sea.
'The supply chain has more room and resilience to deal with these disturbances than during the pandemic,' said Mr Siemons.
'We can absorb it at the Port of Rotterdam, and the disturbances will be relatively minor compared to what we've seen during Covid.'
Mr Siemons said that ocean carriers' return to Suez Canal transits will likely be gradual, which would lessen the impact on Rotterdam's terminals.
SeaNews Turkey
