In January-September 2008 the container throughput of the port of Rotterdam increased by 6% to 82.4 mln tons, port’s web-site informs.
Import increased by 6.9% to 40.8 mln tons, export - by 5.2% to 41.7 mln tons.
In TEU the throughput amounted 8.2 mln units (+2%). A difference between units and weight is a consequence of movement of empty containers at large terminals. The container throughput in the reported period, amounted: loaded – 6.563 mln TEU (+5%, empty – 1.662 mln TEU (-6%, total – 8.225 mln TEU (+2%).
The container throughput in basic trading directions increased: the North America - +12 %, the South America - +5%, Asia - +2% to 3.9 mln TEU, Europe - +1% to 2.7 mln TEU. In total the throughput to American direction reached 1.4 mln TEU (+9%).
The port of Rotterdam is the largest in Holland and one of major world commercial ports. Its annual throughput amounts about 400,000 tons.