The European Liner Affairs Association (ELAA) recorded a very sharp decline in intercontinental container transport by sea to/from Europe for the first quarter of 2009. The downward trend appears to be levelling out, however. For instance, the volume from the Far East to Europe fell by 12% in March, as opposed to 32% in February. Maritime transport within Europe, which partly links up with this, shared in the malaise. The consequences for the four largest container ports in Northwest Europe were clear: Bremerhaven 22%, Hamburg 24%, Rotterdam and Antwerp 16% (% TEU volume).
Intercontinental
From the Far East to Europe (Northwest and Mediterranean) the volume was down 20% on the first quarter of 2008, to 2.5 million TEU. In the other direction, the decline was 'limited' to 15% (to 1.1 million TEU). The Transatlantic trade was hit even harder, with 17% westwards and 30% from North America to Europe. In both directions, the volume was around 600,000 TEU. The trades to the Middle/Near East and to Australasia, which are much lower in volume, held up relatively well, with falls varying from a few percent to around 10%.
Within Europe
The shipping line Irish Continental Group (Eucon, Eurofeeder, Feederlink), with a strong position serving the United Kingdom and Ireland, reported a decline of 29%, to 133,000 TEU, for the first quarter.
The Spanish ports on the Atlantic coast were down 26%, to 208,000 TEU, and those in the Canary Islands/Africa 21%, to 342,000 TEU.
Traffic to and from Russia is experiencing a similar downturn: First Container Terminal, the largest in St. Petersburg, slumped by 27%.
Intercontinental
From the Far East to Europe (Northwest and Mediterranean) the volume was down 20% on the first quarter of 2008, to 2.5 million TEU. In the other direction, the decline was 'limited' to 15% (to 1.1 million TEU). The Transatlantic trade was hit even harder, with 17% westwards and 30% from North America to Europe. In both directions, the volume was around 600,000 TEU. The trades to the Middle/Near East and to Australasia, which are much lower in volume, held up relatively well, with falls varying from a few percent to around 10%.
Within Europe
The shipping line Irish Continental Group (Eucon, Eurofeeder, Feederlink), with a strong position serving the United Kingdom and Ireland, reported a decline of 29%, to 133,000 TEU, for the first quarter.
The Spanish ports on the Atlantic coast were down 26%, to 208,000 TEU, and those in the Canary Islands/Africa 21%, to 342,000 TEU.
Traffic to and from Russia is experiencing a similar downturn: First Container Terminal, the largest in St. Petersburg, slumped by 27%.