During the first six months of 2018, container volumes at the Port of Gothenburg increased by 19%, from 318,000 to 378,000 TEUs. The number of cars and intra-European ro-ro units shipped increased by 10 and 4% respectively, while the energy segment fell by 3%.
The number of new cars handled at the port has increased year on year since 2013, and the positive trend will continue with volumes up 10% for the first six months of 2018. Some 152,000 cars were shipped, which is the highest number in 10 years.
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Intra-European ro-ro traffic to and from the Port of Gothenburg comprises mainly forest products and input goods for the engineering industry. With 593,000 ro-ro units handled, 2017 saw an all-time high for this segment. The signs are that 2018 could be another record-breaking year with 305,000 units reported for the first six months, a rise of 45%.
Energy products continue to pass through the Port of Gothenburg at a high rate even if there has been a slight drop in comparison to the first half of 2017, which was the best period ever for the energy sector. A total of 11.7 million tonnes of energy products were handled during the first six months of 2018, down 3% on the record-breaking first-half figure for 2017.
According to Magnus Kårestedt, Gothenburg Port Authority chief executive, Swedish industry is thriving, and this is represented in activity at the port.
What is more, motor vehicle volumes are growing, and energy products remain at a high level. However, while the trend is positive, the segment still has a long way to go before it is back at desired levels.
