The Port Authority posted final numbers of the port’s throughput for 2009 showing two million tons of handled volumes more over 385 million tons previously reported. However, freight traffic through the Port of Rotterdam in 2009 totaled 387 million tons, a year-over-year 8.1 percent decline (8.5% in provisional data).

The authorities explained the slightly improved digits were primarily due to a smaller drop in the volume of transshipped crude oil. In 2009 its terminals handled 96.4 million tons, 4% lower over the last year’s numbers. The final data showed slight differences in volumes for other commodities categories against initially reported.

Rotterdam is by far the biggest port hub in Europe, with its infrastructure providing services for ocean lines, feeder lines, pipelines, rail and road transport. The Port’s area is 10.5 thousand ha.