In the first half of 2008, 213 million tonnes of cargo were handled in the port of Rotterdam, 7.7% more than the first half of 2007. Outgoing trade was 5.2% up, incoming trade 8.6%. Bulk cargo throughput increased by 9.3%, over twice as much as general cargo (4.4%).
There was a positive trend in the transshipment of agribulk (+29%), ores and scrap (+14%), coal (+9%), crude oil (+11%), other liquid bulk (+18%), roll on/roll off (+3%) and containers (+7%). In numbers, container throughput was 4% up, to 5.4 million TEU (20-ft units). Imports of other dry bulk (-8%) and other general cargo (-18%) were down. Transshipment figures for other mineral liquid bulk remained stable.
Hans Smits, Port of Rotterdam Authority CEO: “These are the best half-yearly results for the past ten years, with a second quarter that was even slightly better than the first. The second half of the year has got off to an encouraging start, but the port won’t be able to escape the effects of the falling economic growth in Asia in particular, and to a lesser extent Western Europe. On the other hand, a complete port like Rotterdam can continue to benefit from those countries or sectors which are continuing to grow (more). We are strengthening our position, for example in the Baltic area, in biofuels and in steel. All in all, I therefore remain optimistic and expect us to show 4% growth for the year as a whole. Around 420 million tonnes in throughput.”
Dry bulk
The total quantity of dry bulk increased by 10.5% to 47 mln. tonnes. The transshipment of agribulk (grains, seeds, animal feed ingredients) rose by over a million tonnes, to way above the ‘normal’ level of 5 mln. tonnes. More than 80% consisted of imports, needed to compensate for the disappointing EU harvests of 2007.
1.2 mln. tonnes (+9% to 14 mln.) more coal was handled. The ground lost in the first quarter due to congestion in the loading ports was gradually made up. The structural demand from Germany was higher thanks to a planned mine closure in June. As the result of earthquake damage, there was an unplanned reduction in production by a mine in Saarland. Rotterdam will also be able to benefit from this in the second half of the year, via rail.
The transshipment of ores and scrap rose by 14% to over 21 mln. tonnes. Demand for ore has been separated from the (very high) price for some time now, and is determined by the high demand for steel. This also explains the high demand for scrap, mainly from Turkey (*).
There was a substantial fall (8%) in the transshipment of other dry bulk (mainly minerals for the production of glass, paper, steel and chemicals), to close on 6 mln. tonnes. This marks an interruption in the constant growth since 2002. The main reason is not connected with economic trends, however, but the loss, due to lack of space, of consignments of kaolin and ‘marble chips’ to Antwerp.
Liquid bulk
The total for liquid bulk increased by 9% to 99 mln. tonnes. Incoming trade in crude oil was 11% up (51 mln. tonnes) on the corresponding period of last year. Demand for oil products is high and the refining margins are good. These fundamental factors are keeping demand at a high level of around 50 mln. tonnes (*).
Following a long period of excessive growth, throughput figures for oil products remained at a constant level of almost 30 million tonnes. A little less fuel oil was handled. Of the other products, only kerosene stood out, showing a sharp increase of 25%. For the second half of the year, a slight rise in the transshipment of oil products is anticipated.
Other liquid bulk climbed 18% to over 18 mln. tonnes, with incoming and outgoing trade contributing almost equally. Hundreds of basic chemicals and a few dozen vegetable and animal oils, fats and fruit juices, but also biofuels come under this category. Biodiesel and bio-ethanol, the transit trade in which almost doubled in the first 6 months, as well as vegetable oils, are also THE growth products for the rest of the year. For the sector ‘other liquid’ as a whole, growth will be in the region of 15%.
General cargo
The general cargo sector enjoyed a reasonable first six months, with an increase of 2.8 mln. tonnes (+4%) to 67 mln. tonnes. Both incoming and outgoing containers were up by 7%. In weight, throughput was up by 7% to 55 mln. tonnes; in figures by 4% to 5.4 mln. TEU (+195.000). The ratio tonnes/number indicates that the number of empty containers has fallen (-6%). The measures taken by the larger terminals to limit the inflow of ‘empties’ appear to be having success. Although container liner shipping is starting to face some adverse winds, the Port of Rotterdam Authority is still assuming continuing growth of close on 7% (tonnes) for the time being.
Roll-on / roll-off transport was 3% up, to almost 9 mln. tonnes. From June onwards, figures deteriorated, due to the sharp slowdown of the British economy.
There was a very marked decline in the handling of other general cargo, down by 18% (-900.000 tonnes). Most of this was caused by the termination of LASH shipping at the end of last year. Added to this, the increasing containerisation of fruit, and for some time non-ferrous metals too, is eating away at the total. The Port Authority is seeking to compensate for this, primarily in the transshipment of iron and steel, paper and project cargo. The latter does not make a massive difference to tonnage, but this growth sector is high quality and financially attractive for the stevedores.
There was a positive trend in the transshipment of agribulk (+29%), ores and scrap (+14%), coal (+9%), crude oil (+11%), other liquid bulk (+18%), roll on/roll off (+3%) and containers (+7%). In numbers, container throughput was 4% up, to 5.4 million TEU (20-ft units). Imports of other dry bulk (-8%) and other general cargo (-18%) were down. Transshipment figures for other mineral liquid bulk remained stable.
Hans Smits, Port of Rotterdam Authority CEO: “These are the best half-yearly results for the past ten years, with a second quarter that was even slightly better than the first. The second half of the year has got off to an encouraging start, but the port won’t be able to escape the effects of the falling economic growth in Asia in particular, and to a lesser extent Western Europe. On the other hand, a complete port like Rotterdam can continue to benefit from those countries or sectors which are continuing to grow (more). We are strengthening our position, for example in the Baltic area, in biofuels and in steel. All in all, I therefore remain optimistic and expect us to show 4% growth for the year as a whole. Around 420 million tonnes in throughput.”
Dry bulk
The total quantity of dry bulk increased by 10.5% to 47 mln. tonnes. The transshipment of agribulk (grains, seeds, animal feed ingredients) rose by over a million tonnes, to way above the ‘normal’ level of 5 mln. tonnes. More than 80% consisted of imports, needed to compensate for the disappointing EU harvests of 2007.
1.2 mln. tonnes (+9% to 14 mln.) more coal was handled. The ground lost in the first quarter due to congestion in the loading ports was gradually made up. The structural demand from Germany was higher thanks to a planned mine closure in June. As the result of earthquake damage, there was an unplanned reduction in production by a mine in Saarland. Rotterdam will also be able to benefit from this in the second half of the year, via rail.
The transshipment of ores and scrap rose by 14% to over 21 mln. tonnes. Demand for ore has been separated from the (very high) price for some time now, and is determined by the high demand for steel. This also explains the high demand for scrap, mainly from Turkey (*).
There was a substantial fall (8%) in the transshipment of other dry bulk (mainly minerals for the production of glass, paper, steel and chemicals), to close on 6 mln. tonnes. This marks an interruption in the constant growth since 2002. The main reason is not connected with economic trends, however, but the loss, due to lack of space, of consignments of kaolin and ‘marble chips’ to Antwerp.
Liquid bulk
The total for liquid bulk increased by 9% to 99 mln. tonnes. Incoming trade in crude oil was 11% up (51 mln. tonnes) on the corresponding period of last year. Demand for oil products is high and the refining margins are good. These fundamental factors are keeping demand at a high level of around 50 mln. tonnes (*).
Following a long period of excessive growth, throughput figures for oil products remained at a constant level of almost 30 million tonnes. A little less fuel oil was handled. Of the other products, only kerosene stood out, showing a sharp increase of 25%. For the second half of the year, a slight rise in the transshipment of oil products is anticipated.
Other liquid bulk climbed 18% to over 18 mln. tonnes, with incoming and outgoing trade contributing almost equally. Hundreds of basic chemicals and a few dozen vegetable and animal oils, fats and fruit juices, but also biofuels come under this category. Biodiesel and bio-ethanol, the transit trade in which almost doubled in the first 6 months, as well as vegetable oils, are also THE growth products for the rest of the year. For the sector ‘other liquid’ as a whole, growth will be in the region of 15%.
General cargo
The general cargo sector enjoyed a reasonable first six months, with an increase of 2.8 mln. tonnes (+4%) to 67 mln. tonnes. Both incoming and outgoing containers were up by 7%. In weight, throughput was up by 7% to 55 mln. tonnes; in figures by 4% to 5.4 mln. TEU (+195.000). The ratio tonnes/number indicates that the number of empty containers has fallen (-6%). The measures taken by the larger terminals to limit the inflow of ‘empties’ appear to be having success. Although container liner shipping is starting to face some adverse winds, the Port of Rotterdam Authority is still assuming continuing growth of close on 7% (tonnes) for the time being.
Roll-on / roll-off transport was 3% up, to almost 9 mln. tonnes. From June onwards, figures deteriorated, due to the sharp slowdown of the British economy.
There was a very marked decline in the handling of other general cargo, down by 18% (-900.000 tonnes). Most of this was caused by the termination of LASH shipping at the end of last year. Added to this, the increasing containerisation of fruit, and for some time non-ferrous metals too, is eating away at the total. The Port Authority is seeking to compensate for this, primarily in the transshipment of iron and steel, paper and project cargo. The latter does not make a massive difference to tonnage, but this growth sector is high quality and financially attractive for the stevedores.