Rotterdam breakbulk tonnage rises 21 percent in H1 2010

The tonnage of breakbulk cargo handled by the Port of Rotterdam in the first half of 2010 increased by 21 percent, even stronger than the 18 percent increase reported earlier, the Port of Rotterdam Authority said Wednesday.

According to the most recent throughput figures for the first six months of 2010, the port handled a total of 3.3 million metric tons.

Incoming volume rose 23 percent to 2.3 million metric tons, and outgoing volume was up 17 percent to 1 million metric tons.

The port authority said growth of throughput in Rotterdam was stronger than elsewhere in northern Europe.

Rotterdam ranked third in breakbulk and project cargo among ports from Hamburg to Le Havre, with 6 million metric tons. Antwerp at 10.4 million metric tons and Bremen with 6.5 million metric tons ranked first and second.

The Port of Rotterdam Authority aims to improve its ranking, with steel, project cargo and refrigerated products as the leading commodities.

Rotterdam has 21 terminals in the port area handling breakbulk exclusively or in considerable amounts. Together, they occupy 618 acres and almost 7.5 million square feet of warehouse space.