The development of container ports in North Europe is almost synchronic due to stable demand and equal competitive background of the region’s ports. That was a conclusion made by Austria-based Via Donau made at The Danube Summit-2008. Conference & Exhibition held in Romania this month, RZD-Partner informs.
According to Gerhard Gussmagg, representative of Via Donau, the dynamics demonstrated by major container ports f North Europe (Rotterdam, Hamburg, Antwerp, Bremerhaven) does not change for several years. In 2007, the above ports demonstrated an 11-15-percent growth with total throughput increasing to 34 mln TEU. The group’s growth was 14%, similar to that of 2004-2006, which confirms stable position of the ports at the market and equation of competition within the group.
Rotterdam still holds the leading position. In 2007, it handled 10.8 mln TEU (+12%, year-on-year). In 2006, the port’s results also grew by 12%, year-on-year.
Throughput of Hamburg grew by 11% to 10 mln TEU (+12% in 2006); Antwerp – by 14% to 8 mln TEU (+14% in 2006); Bremerhaven – by 11% to 5 mln TEU (+10% in 2006).