The Port of Rotterdam Authority has reported a marginal 0.7 per cent decline in total throughput for the first quarter of 2026.
Volumes fell to 103.0 million tonnes, compared with 103.7 million tonnes in the same period last year.
According to the port, the reduction was primarily driven by lower flows of agribulk, coal, other liquid bulk and breakbulk.
However, gains in iron ore and scrap metal, other dry bulk, crude oil, mineral oil products, liquefied natural gas (LNG), and container throughput measured in TEUs helped offset the overall decline.
Geopolitical developments, including the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, have added volatility to global energy markets.
Around 10 per cent of Rotterdam’s crude oil throughput and 14 per cent of oil product volumes are typically linked to the Persian Gulf region.
However, the impact on Q1 figures remained limited, with effects expected to become more visible in subsequent quarters.
Boudewijn Siemons, Chief Executive Officer of the Port of Rotterdam Authority, said: “Throughput at the port of Rotterdam remained largely stable in the first quarter of 2026, despite growing geopolitical tensions.
“The closure of the Strait of Hormuz highlights just how vulnerable global energy flows are; the effects of this were only marginally apparent in the first quarter and may become more pronounced in the second quarter. At the same time, the growth in oil, oil products and containers shows that Rotterdam remains resilient as a European energy and logistics hub.”
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In the dry bulk segment, throughput declined by 4.3 per cent, largely due to a 20.9 per cent drop in agribulk volumes following last year’s temporary spike. Coal volumes fell by 9.8 per cent as energy coal output normalised after elevated production in 2025.
By contrast, iron ore and scrap metal rose by 5.3 per cent, supported by a modest recovery in German steel production.
Other dry bulk increased by 4.6 per cent on the back of stronger demand for construction and industrial materials.
Liquid bulk throughput rose by 2.2 per cent overall. Crude oil volumes increased by 1.7 per cent to 25.2 million tonnes, while mineral oil products rose by 10.3 per cent, driven by stronger export flows.
LNG throughput increased by 1.7 per cent, supported by higher demand linked to colder temperatures and stock replenishment. Other liquid bulk declined by 7.2 per cent, reflecting weaker chemical output in Germany.
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Container throughput edged up by 0.3 per cent in TEUs, although tonnage fell by 3.2 per cent due to a sharp rise in empty container exports to Asia. Inland container flows increased by 11 per cent, driven by stronger services to Asia and North America.
Breakbulk volumes declined by 1.5 per cent, while RoRo rose by 1.6 per cent on the back of a modest recovery in UK trade.
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has also reshaped energy routing dynamics, with some crude shipments reportedly diverted towards Asia due to price differentials.
While direct container exposure to the Middle East remains limited at 1.2 per cent, the broader macroeconomic impact of disrupted trade flows is expected to influence demand in the coming quarters.
For more information:
Port of Rotterdam – https://www.portofrotterdam.com/en
