China and Russia fuel northern port growth

Perhaps not surprisingly, Hamburg’s own performance in container and general cargo terms stands out – showing the highest growth in general cargo tonnage and container throughput, 17.2% at 37,452,00 tonnes and 15.9% at 3,373,313TEUs respectively.

Also significant in the container sector however, is the return of Rotterdam to double digit growth, 12% at 4mTEUs, and Antwerp’s ongoing strong growth, 14.9% to a level of 3,065,548TEUs.

Commenting on Hamburg’s container traffic growth, Dr Jurgen Sorgenrei, chairman, Hamburg Port Marketing Association, particularly highlighted the continuing strong cargo growth in China trade and with the Baltic Sea region including Russia. He further predicted that these two trades would continue to be engines of growth over the short-term at least.

Source: Port of Hamburg Marketing Association

Note: All weights shown are gross weights – i. e. inclusive of containers own weight

Port Total Change Bulk Cargo Change Gen. Cargo Change Containers Change Containers Change (1000t) Vj. % (1000t) Vj. % (1000t) Vj. % (1000t) Vj. % TEU Vj. % Hamburg 55,496 8.2 18,044 5 37,452 7.2 36,103 7.6 3,373,313 Bremen Ports 24,984 0.3 5,062 -5.1 19,922 1.8 16,456 2.3 1,624,232 2.7 Rotterdam 176,770 7.9 127,030 3 49,740 11.9 39,600 13.3 4,000,000 0 Antwerp 75,620 7.1 30,347 0 45,274 2.5 34,596 4.6 3,065,548 Total 332,870 7.2 180,483 4 152,388 1.9 126,755 3.2 12,063,093 12.4