In 2010, cargo throughput in the port of Rotterdam rose to 430 million tons. This is 11.1 % more than in 2009 and 2.1% more than in the previous record year 2008. Imports increased by 12% to 306 million tons, while exports rose by 9% to 124 million tonnes. Bulk was up by 11%, likewise containers/breakbulk. Coal throughput fell by almost 2 percent while agribulk remained stable. Other types of cargo showed an increase: ore and scrap (71%), other dry bulk (22%), crude oil (4%), mineral oil products (7%), other liquid bulk (8%), containers (12%), roll on/roll off (5%) and other general cargo (16%).

Hans Smits, Port of Rotterdam Authority CEO: “This result is above expectations. Record throughput by the port while the Port of Rotterdam Authority invested a record sum of €460 million. This year throughput was particularly stimulated by the 15% growth in world trade and the flourishing German economy. In 2011, government cutbacks will be more strongly felt throughout Europe. On the other hand, Rotterdam will continue to feel and pass on the heartbeat of the world economy. I am therefore cautiously optimistic about throughput which I expect to grow by 2 to 3 percent to around 440 million tons”.

Dry bulk
The total throughput of dry bulk cargo increased by almost 28% to 85 million tons.

Coal throughput fell by 1.7% to 24 million tons. Steam coal consumption decreased due to a decline in energy demand due to the economic downturn and low natural gas prices. In addition, stocks built up in 2009 were eaten into. Throughput of cokes coal, around 40% of coal imports into Rotterdam, rose in parallel with the increasing trend in steel production. In 2011, an increase in coal throughput up to 25-26 million tons is realistic because stocks have been reduced. Structurally, coal remains a growth product as a result of the mine closures in Germany.

Ore and scrap throughput leapt by +71% to almost 40 million tons once again. Demand for steel showed a strong increase largely due to German automobile manufacturers. Furthermore, extra ore imports were required for the – temporary – production of steel slabs by ThyssenKrupp for the United States. In the fourth quarter, throughput was lower due to high stock levels and temporary capacity reductions at steel plants. Expectations for 2011 are moderately positive. Despite rises in the price of raw materials, a slight increase in the production of iron and steel is expected. Consequently, a cautious prediction of a maximum throughput of 41 million tons is possible.

Other dry bulk cargo (minerals, ore concentrates, building materials) increased by over 22% to 12.5 million tonnes. This is 4% higher than the level before the crisis. The most important consumers in this sector – the chemical and metal industries – recovered well. The third major consumer, the building sector, is late cyclical and for the time being continues to generate little demand. Because recovery of the steel sector is also uncertain, little growth is expected in 2011 in throughput of other dry bulk cargo.

Throughput of agribulk (grains, oil seeds, derivatives) remained stable at 8.4 million tons. The European 2009-2010 harvest year was good and this always places pressure on imports via Rotterdam. The 2010-2011 harvest year is considerably lower and this had the immediate effect of stimulating imports in the last quarter of 2010. On the other hand, the ADM crushing plant imported less soy from overseas due to imports of rapeseed from the European hinterland.

Liquid bulk
The throughput volume of liquid bulk rose by just under 6% to 209 million tons. Imports of crude oil increased by 4% to 100 million tons, the level of 2008. Demand for oil products in Western Europe suffered from the crisis and led to either closure or reduced production of less efficient refineries in Northern France and Northern Germany. This was to the advantage of the larger and more flexible refineries in Rotterdam. As a result, they were able to maintain a good position in the increasingly global competiti