Rotterdam container traffic drops 13 percent to 7.2 million TEU in Jan-Sept
Container traffic in Rotterdam fell 13 percent in the first nine months of 2009 from a year ago, a slight improvement on the 15 percent drop in first half volume.
Rotterdam handled 7.2 million 20-foot equivalent units in the January-September period, ensuring it will hold on to its top European ranking ahead of second and third placed Hamburg and Antwerp.
The total volume of cargo fell 11.9 percent in the first three quarters to 283 million metric tons as all sectors reported lower traffic, with iron and scrap metal plunging 66 percent, dry bulk shrinking 33 percent and crude oil declining 7 percent.
"There is still a hefty decrease in terms of percentages, but the trend curve has started turning slightly upward again since July. On balance this means stabilization throughout," said Port Authority CEO Hans Smits.
The port authority said the decline in box traffic was slowed by the decision of ocean carriers to rationalize Asia-Europe services in Rotterdam and "healthy" growth in feeder traffic.
Roll-on, roll-off volume contracted 13 percent from a year ago to 12 million metric tons, reflecting the recession in the UK, Rotterdam's biggest ro-ro market. Other general cargo slumped 23 percent to 4.4 million metric tons.
Smits said full year volume is expected to drop by around 10 percent from last year's record 421 million metric tons, which included container traffic of 10.8 million TEUs.
Rotterdam handled 7.2 million 20-foot equivalent units in the January-September period, ensuring it will hold on to its top European ranking ahead of second and third placed Hamburg and Antwerp.
The total volume of cargo fell 11.9 percent in the first three quarters to 283 million metric tons as all sectors reported lower traffic, with iron and scrap metal plunging 66 percent, dry bulk shrinking 33 percent and crude oil declining 7 percent.
"There is still a hefty decrease in terms of percentages, but the trend curve has started turning slightly upward again since July. On balance this means stabilization throughout," said Port Authority CEO Hans Smits.
The port authority said the decline in box traffic was slowed by the decision of ocean carriers to rationalize Asia-Europe services in Rotterdam and "healthy" growth in feeder traffic.
Roll-on, roll-off volume contracted 13 percent from a year ago to 12 million metric tons, reflecting the recession in the UK, Rotterdam's biggest ro-ro market. Other general cargo slumped 23 percent to 4.4 million metric tons.
Smits said full year volume is expected to drop by around 10 percent from last year's record 421 million metric tons, which included container traffic of 10.8 million TEUs.