Rotterdam, Europe's biggest port, said on Wednesday cargo volumes rose 6.8 percent in the first quarter of 2008 to 105 million tonnes.
Rotterdam is Europe's main centre for shipment and storage of oilseeds, animal feeds and vegetable oils. It is also a key trading hub for the oil industry.
Growth was particularly strong in volumes of agricultural bulk, up 16 percent in the quarter to 2.3 million tonnes, as well as iron ore and scrap, up 15 percent to 10.4 million tonnes, and crude oil, up 12 percent to 25.6 million tonnes.
"Thriving numbers: growth remains good even after taking into account the particular development in crude oil and iron ore," the port's chief executive Hans Smits said in a statement.
He added he expected about a 4 percent growth in overall cargo volumes for the full year.
Container volumes rose by 8 percent to 26.7 million tonnes. Smits has said growth in container traffic in Rotterdam port is likely to slow in 2008, from double digits in previous years to single digits.
Coal traffic volumes declined by 3 percent to 6.12 million tonnes, and mineral oil product volumes slipped 1.4 percent to 14.9 million tonnes in the quarter.
Rotterdam is Europe's main centre for shipment and storage of oilseeds, animal feeds and vegetable oils. It is also a key trading hub for the oil industry.
Growth was particularly strong in volumes of agricultural bulk, up 16 percent in the quarter to 2.3 million tonnes, as well as iron ore and scrap, up 15 percent to 10.4 million tonnes, and crude oil, up 12 percent to 25.6 million tonnes.
"Thriving numbers: growth remains good even after taking into account the particular development in crude oil and iron ore," the port's chief executive Hans Smits said in a statement.
He added he expected about a 4 percent growth in overall cargo volumes for the full year.
Container volumes rose by 8 percent to 26.7 million tonnes. Smits has said growth in container traffic in Rotterdam port is likely to slow in 2008, from double digits in previous years to single digits.
Coal traffic volumes declined by 3 percent to 6.12 million tonnes, and mineral oil product volumes slipped 1.4 percent to 14.9 million tonnes in the quarter.