Throughput at the Port of Rotterdam has increased by around 7.2% in 2014 when compared to its 2013 result. Container throughput increased substantially by 5.1% in weight and 7.6% in TEU. Liquid bulk throughput grew by 14.7%.
Allard Castelein, Port of Rotterdam Authority CEO, said: “The port had a very strong first quarter. The positive trend in the handling of mineral oil products and LNG is striking. After declining last year, oil products are now experiencing a strong recovery.
“LNG throughput is even growing in triple figures and is really getting into its stride. Container throughput is also increasing sharply.
“Last year Rotterdam grew faster in this sector than rival ports. An increase of almost 8% combined with two new terminals on Maasvlakte II is generating a lot of confidence in the development of this sector in the coming years.”
The growth could be the clearest evidence yet of the economic recovery in Europe and the relocation of transhipment cargo from other ports to Rotterdam.
In recent months container shipping continued to increase in scale. Due to Rotterdam’s easily accessible location for mega-ships than its rival ports, the port saw a 70% increase in the number of second calls in the first quarter to 51.
Ships sail between Asia and Europe on a fixed schedule and are increasingly using Rotterdam as the first and last port of call.
