The Port of Gothenburg has announced a record-breaking container volume for the first quarter of 2024, having handled a total of 242,000 TEU.
The new record set reflected a Year-on-Year (YoY) throughput increase of 8 per cent.
The Port of Gothenburg handles 57 per cent of Sweden’s total container volume, with terminal operator APM Terminals (APMT) handling the majority of the volumes.
Last year, it was the high export volumes that contributed to 2023 being the best year ever for the Port of Gothenburg in terms of container handling.
On the import side, it was more challenging, with a decrease of nearly 20 per cent for the entire year. The low import figures were explained by high-interest rates and a weakened Swedish krona as key contributing factors reducing Swedish consumer demand.
But now the trend has reversed. During Q1 of this year, the import of container goods increased by 11 per cent compared to the same period in 2023.
While imports are growing, exports continue on the trajectory from 2023 with continued increased volumes as well. During Q1 of 2024, exported containers increased by 4 per cent compared to the same period last year.
Moreover, During Q1, the amount of container goods transported by rail increased by 1 per cent to 126,000 TEU.
The growth includes forest products transported by rail and containerised in Gothenburg. Railway routes to import-heavy destinations in the Swedish hinterland also showed strong growth.
Additionally, during Q1, the total intra-European RoRo volume also decreased by 2 per cent.
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“A lot is happening right now that will further strengthen our railway offering in the future,” said Claes Sundmark, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at the Gothenburg Port Authority.
“We have new railway destinations starting up, while several existing routes are increasing in frequency.
“The upgrade of the port Line to double track has just been completed, tripling the capacity of the railway.
“With the port Line and our recently started fairway deepening, we are developing the port with even more robust and efficient infrastructure, sharpening the competitiveness of Swedish industry further.”
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“Now we are back to import volumes at levels similar to those before the pandemic,” Sundmark added.
“And the signals we are receiving from the market indicate that major importers in sectors such as retail expect strengthened purchasing power and increased demand from Swedish consumers going forward.”
Late last year, the Skandia Gateway project received the final approval from the EU Commission, paving the way for the fairway deepening at the Port of Gothenburg.
