At its 2017 half-yearly report, port of Rotterdam reveals a 3.9% increase in throughput and growth in eight of the ten market segments. Falls were reported in the volumes of mineral oil products and other liquid bulk.
A total of 238.0 million tonnes of goods were handled in the first half of the year. The market share of Rotterdam by comparison with the other ports in the Hamburg-Le Havre range increased from 29.0% (Q1 2016) to 30.9% (Q1 2017) in the container sector.
Overall, the main takeaways from the half-yearly report are the following:
- Growth primarily in container segment (+9.3% in TEU)
- Range of major investments announced by business and Port of Rotterdam Authority
- Revenue of Port of Rotterdam Authority increases slightly, net result constant
- Competitive position of the port an ongoing concern
In particular:
- The volume of containers handled (9.3% in TEU, 10.4% in tonnes) was the determining factor for the overall growth in throughput. Dry bulk increased (5.2%), liquid bulk decreased slightly (-1.0%) and break bulk was very much on the rise (10.8%).
- Several companies announced major investments this half year, indicating business confidence in the Rotterdam port and industrial complex.
- Sea port dues decreased by 0.4% (€0.6 million) to €146.0 million, while throughput increased by 3.9% because of a fall in some market segments of the average price per tonne due to the prevailing price structure.
The port notes that Dutch ports are the only ports required to pay corporation tax, and the European limit for state aid has been raised to €150 million. In view of the importance of the port of Rotterdam and the challenges facing the port and industrial complex, Rotterdam is asking support comparable to neighbouring countries.
Further details may be found by reading the full report:
