Despite the COVID-19 pandemic freight volumes at the Port of Gothenburg saw an increase in several segments.
During the first half of 2020, containerised units rose by 4% 10 401,000 and energy products by 22%.
In a statement the Port noted that in contrast, other ports are reporting a downturn. The 10 largest container ports in Europe and the world reported a fall of 9% and 4% respectively during the same period.
Despite the pandemic, the Port of Gothenburg container terminal has been working at full capacity and with no cancelled calls by mainline vessels, which are responsible for the vital direct weekly services between Gothenburg and Asia.
Feeder traffic frequency has also been maintained and with an increase in the size of the feeder vessels during the period.
Containerised goods to and from the port by rail continue to increase. Volumes during the first half of the year were up 2% from what were already record levels.
“On the whole, the container segment has proved to be extremely resilient and the trend during the year shows that the Port of Gothenburg is continuing to acquire a greater share of the market,” said Elvir Dzanic Gothenburg Port Authority chief executive.
Energy products rose by 22% to 11.8 million tonnes between January and June. This can be attributed in part to widespread turbulence on the world market and the low price of oil in the fall-out from the Covid-19 pandemic.
There has been a surge in demand for fuel storage at the Port of Gothenburg as a result. Planned maintenance stoppages during the corresponding period in 2019 had a slight impact on volumes at the time.
