In the first half of 2012, 222 million tonnes of cargo was handled in the port of Rotterdam, 3.2% up on the first half of 2011. Incoming trade rose by 1% to 155 million tonnes and outgoing trade by 8% to 66 million tonnes. Bulk throughput increased by 5% to 147 million tonnes and container throughput was 2% up at 63 million tonnes. Less general cargo was handled: down 8% to 12 million tonnes. Less agribulk (-11%), iron ore and scrap (-15%), other dry bulk (-9%) and other general cargo (-25%) were imported and exported. The other types of cargo were up: coal (+2%), crude oil (+10%), mineral oil products (+14%), other liquid bulk (+6%), roll on/roll off (+1%) and containers (+2%). In numbers, container throughput fell by close on 2% to 5.9 million TEU (20-foot units).

Hans Smits, Port of Rotterdam Authority CEO: ‘The port of Rotterdam got off to a good start, with slightly higher than expected growth in throughput. This is in line with the recent report from Statistics Netherlands, in which the economic growth is attributed primarily to exports outside the EU. By far the majority of this travels via the port of Rotterdam. The national picture also corresponds with that of the port when it comes to products: an increase in the refining and handling of crude oil and oil products, as well as container throughput is benefiting from the good export performance of Dutch and German industry. I expect throughput over the year as a whole to show modest growth of around one per cent

Like throughput, the construction of the Second Maasvlakte is developing well. One of this year’s two critical moments, the closure of the seawall, went perfectly. I have every confidence that the same will apply to the rerouting of the infrastructure and the start of the digging through of the Yangtsehaven in October. The construction on the RWG and APMT container terminals marks the actual beginning of corporate investment on the land expansion. In the existing port area there is ongoing investment, with large projects in refining, chemicals, tank storage and energy. In total, the business sector will be investing almost € 11 billion in the port area during the period 2011 up to and including 2015. This is evidence of confidence in the port of Rotterdam, and also positive expectations regarding the economic developments and integration of Europe. It is crucial for us all that some quick, clear political decisions are made on these aspects.’

Dry bulk

The total amount of dry bulk fell by 8.7% to 39.4 million tonnes. Agribulk (grains, seeds, animal feed ingredients) throughput was down by a tenth to 4.1 million tonnes. Due to increases in the price of products on the world market, customers utilised their stocks. Also, a few packages won from Amsterdam last year were lost again.

12.9 million tonnes of coal (+1.9%) were handled. Despite the declining flow of ores, imports of cokes coal were up, due to the closure of a coke mine in Germany.

ThyssenKrupp also focused European coke imports on the EECV terminal. Weak imports of coal for energy in the spring will probably continue in the summer. As a result of the increasing availability of sustainable energy, coal is becoming more season-bound. Demand will probably increase again later in the year.

Throughput of ores and scrap fell by 15.1% to 16.4 million tonnes. The production of raw steel is falling due to a decrease in demand as a result of the ailing economy. Utilisation of the blast furnaces in the hinterland is expected to decline this year to 85%. Two steel plants have already closed and Arcelor does not rule out more shutdowns. At ThyssenKrupp, a furnace is being overhauled. Exports of scrap rose in the first half of the year due to the persistently high demand from the Turkish steel industry.

Throughput figures for other dry bulk (mainly minerals for the production of glass, paper, steel and chemicals) were 8.8% down at 5.9 million tonnes. Metal-related industry, cars and machinery, in Germany and the Netherlands, and the chemical industry continue to produce at a reas