Rotterdam box volume slips 1.1pc to 8.9 million TEU in first 9 months

THE Port of Rotterdam's container throughput in the first nine months of the year slipped 1.1 per cent to 8.9 million TEU year on year, but mostly due to a fall in empties.

"For example, the traditional peak in supply was lower this autumn. The lower supply dampens feeder transport, while short-sea grew significantly thanks to growth of volume to and from the Mediterranean among other things," the port said.

But overall container tonnage during the nine-month period increased by 1.7 per cent to 94.9 million tonnes with outgoing cargo accounting for 48.7 million tonnes, representing an increase of five per cent over the same period last year.

Rotterdam's cargo throughput increased by 1.7 per cent to 333 million tonnes in the nine-month period due to the seven per cent growth in exports.

"Throughput in the port enjoyed a good third quarter mainly due to the oil sector. Growth weakened during the third quarter due to declining world trade and while the corresponding quarter of 2011 was relatively strong. Across the entire year, we still expect a small growth of one per cent," said Rotterdam authority CEO Hans Smits.

General cargo volume declined 24 per cent to 4.7 million tonnes. Agribulk (grains, seeds, feed ingredients) decreased 15 per cent to six million tonnes.

"Imports are disappointing due to bad harvests and high prices. The prospects for imports for the coming months, the start of the new harvest year, are more positive," the port said.

The supply of crude oil increased six per cent and is back to its "normal" level of on average 25 million tonnes per quarter. There were no major maintenance breaks this year. Because production capacity was closed elsewhere in Europe, the production level of the refineries in Rotterdam was high.

Throughput of mineral oil products (petrol, diesel, kerosene, fuel oil) increased 13 per cent to 61 million tonnes. Throughput of fuel oil increased strongly due to ore Russian export and greater trading volume with Asia because of favourable price differences.