Throughput in Basel's three Rhine ports was down in the first six months of 2010, compared to the same period of 2009, according to latest data. Throughput was down by a little more than 10% from 3.4 million tonnes to 3.1 million tonnes, due to the declining throughput of mineral oil products that were down 30% to 1.4 million tonnes.
A 14% increase in container handling is reported to have compensated in some extent for this.
The handling of mineral oil products, concentrated in Birsfelden and Muttenz-Au, was down mainly due to the collapsed demand for domestic fuel oil.
"Buyers are no longer building up winter stocks in the summer, but are speculating permanently on low prices. The highly volatile international product prices and fluctuations in exchange rates make this attractive," commented
Imports of diesel and petrol fell by 9% and 2% respectively because the two Swiss refineries kept production high.
"Considering the low stocks held by end users, people do expect to see a catching-up effect when it comes to domestic fuel oil imports in the second half of the year," .
The 14% growth in container handling in Kleinhüningen was said to approach that in the ARA ports.
"Throughput increased from 41,488 to 47,285 TEU. Imports did particularly well, up 28% to 21,904 TEU. The increase in exports was 4%, to 25,384 TEU. Considering the growth in world trade, people are optimistic about the second half of the year."
The economic growth in the EU, Germany in particular, and the exchange rate of the Swiss Franc to the Euro and Dollar is believed could have a negative effect.
The Swiss Rhine ports are Kleinhuningen, Birsfelden and Muttenz-Au.
A 14% increase in container handling is reported to have compensated in some extent for this.
The handling of mineral oil products, concentrated in Birsfelden and Muttenz-Au, was down mainly due to the collapsed demand for domestic fuel oil.
"Buyers are no longer building up winter stocks in the summer, but are speculating permanently on low prices. The highly volatile international product prices and fluctuations in exchange rates make this attractive," commented
Imports of diesel and petrol fell by 9% and 2% respectively because the two Swiss refineries kept production high.
"Considering the low stocks held by end users, people do expect to see a catching-up effect when it comes to domestic fuel oil imports in the second half of the year," .
The 14% growth in container handling in Kleinhüningen was said to approach that in the ARA ports.
"Throughput increased from 41,488 to 47,285 TEU. Imports did particularly well, up 28% to 21,904 TEU. The increase in exports was 4%, to 25,384 TEU. Considering the growth in world trade, people are optimistic about the second half of the year."
The economic growth in the EU, Germany in particular, and the exchange rate of the Swiss Franc to the Euro and Dollar is believed could have a negative effect.
The Swiss Rhine ports are Kleinhuningen, Birsfelden and Muttenz-Au.