Cargo throughput in the Port of Rotterdam increased during the first nine months of 2011 by 1.7 percent to 327 million tonnes, Cargonews Asia reports. Throughput increased for agribulk (17 percent), coal (3 percent), other dry bulk (10 percent), containers (11 percent), roll-on/roll-off (two percent) and other general cargo (24 percent). Other liquid bulk remained the same. Lower amounts of iron ore and scrap (down seven percent), crude oil (-5 percent) and mineral oil products (-6 percent) were loaded and unloaded.
Dry bulk handling decreased by one percent to a good 65 million tonnes and liquid bulk handling dropped by just on four percent to 149 million tonnes. General cargo throughput rose by more than 10 percent to 112 million tonnes.
“Throughput developed well in the third quarter, as compared to the first half year and the darkening economic climate,” said Hans Smits, CEO of the Port of Rotterdam Authority.
“Now all mood indicators are dropping and the world economy is cooling down. Because of that, export is also stalling. Up to now it has been a driving force for our throughput. Not surprisingly, growth will decrease in the fourth quarter. Over the whole year we still expect growth.”
Dry bulk handling decreased by one percent to a good 65 million tonnes and liquid bulk handling dropped by just on four percent to 149 million tonnes. General cargo throughput rose by more than 10 percent to 112 million tonnes.
“Throughput developed well in the third quarter, as compared to the first half year and the darkening economic climate,” said Hans Smits, CEO of the Port of Rotterdam Authority.
“Now all mood indicators are dropping and the world economy is cooling down. Because of that, export is also stalling. Up to now it has been a driving force for our throughput. Not surprisingly, growth will decrease in the fourth quarter. Over the whole year we still expect growth.”