Throughput stable at Port of Rotterdam

Throughput was 220.0 million tonnes, which is 0.3% lower than the same period in 2023.

The decline was mainly a result of less handling of coal, crude oil and other liquid bulk. In contrast, throughput of iron ore and scrap, other dry bulk, mineral-oil products and containers increased.

“After a period of economic uncertainty, we see demand for raw materials and consumer products starting to increase,” said Boudewijn Siemons, chief executive of Port of Rotterdam Authority.

“Whether that trend will continue in other segments will depend partly on the pace of the European industry’s recovery in the coming months. In the meantime, we are holding a steady course and continue to invest in and implement projects to make the energy and raw materials transitions a success and further improve the infrastructure of the port and industrial complex.”

Container throughput increased by 4.2% in tonnage and 2.2% in terms of teu as a result of consumer demand and an early peak season.

Dry bulk handling increased by 2.1% compared to the same period last year, whilst liquid build dropped by 3.1%.

RoRo traffic decreased by 4.1% to 12.8 million tonnes due to a weak UK economy and the other breakbulk segment fell 10.5% to 3.1 million tonnes, mainly owing to containerisation of general cargo and the shifting of various cargo to other ports.