THE Port of Rotterdam's first half container volume fell 15 per cent year on year to 4.6 million TEU, said a statement from the port authority.
"We believe that the bottom of the cycle has been reached," said port CEO Hans Smits. "In the second half of the year, I expect throughput to stabilise, bringing the shrinkage for the year to 12 per cent."
The main Dutch port handled 185 million tonnes of cargo in the first half of 2009, a decrease of 13.4 per cent compared to same period last year.
Within this total, exports fell 4.6 per cent to 54 million tonnes, imports declined 16.6 per cent to 131 million tonnes. Bulk throughput was down 12.4 per cent to 128 million tonnes.
"There were signs of recovery in throughput from February onwards, thanks to the rationalisation of services and concentration on Rotterdam. Feeder traffic is also increasing, mainly to the Baltic area. Container throughput is expected to fall again in July/August, followed by a recovery in connection with the festive season," said the statement.
Results for general cargo were 15.5 per cent lower against the first half of 2008 at 57 million tonnes. Only the handling of mineral oil products showed an increase, up by 17 per cent year on year to over 35 million tonnes.
All other categories of goods were said to be "way down," with agribulk falling 19 per cent, ores and scrap down 61 per cent, coal down 14 per cent, other dry bulk down 28 per cent, crude oil down 4 per cent, other liquid bulk was down 20 per cent, and roll on/roll off was down 14 per cent.
"We believe that the bottom of the cycle has been reached," said port CEO Hans Smits. "In the second half of the year, I expect throughput to stabilise, bringing the shrinkage for the year to 12 per cent."
The main Dutch port handled 185 million tonnes of cargo in the first half of 2009, a decrease of 13.4 per cent compared to same period last year.
Within this total, exports fell 4.6 per cent to 54 million tonnes, imports declined 16.6 per cent to 131 million tonnes. Bulk throughput was down 12.4 per cent to 128 million tonnes.
"There were signs of recovery in throughput from February onwards, thanks to the rationalisation of services and concentration on Rotterdam. Feeder traffic is also increasing, mainly to the Baltic area. Container throughput is expected to fall again in July/August, followed by a recovery in connection with the festive season," said the statement.
Results for general cargo were 15.5 per cent lower against the first half of 2008 at 57 million tonnes. Only the handling of mineral oil products showed an increase, up by 17 per cent year on year to over 35 million tonnes.
All other categories of goods were said to be "way down," with agribulk falling 19 per cent, ores and scrap down 61 per cent, coal down 14 per cent, other dry bulk down 28 per cent, crude oil down 4 per cent, other liquid bulk was down 20 per cent, and roll on/roll off was down 14 per cent.