Container traffic in Rotterdam increased 17 percent in the first nine months of 2010 from a year ago to 8.4 million 20-foot equivalent units, putting Europe's top container hub on track to match the record volume of 2008.
Rotterdam slightly increased its lead over its closest rival Antwerp, which boosted container traffic 16.9 percent in the first three quarters of the year to 6.3 million TEUs.
Rotterdam's total throughput increased 13.4 percent to 321 million metric tons as almost all cargo sectors posted growth, led by a 112 percent surge in iron ore and scrap shipments to 31 million metric tons and a 31 percent rise in other dry bulk traffic to 9 million metric tons.
"The growth is leveling off, but is still slightly higher than expected," said Hans Smits, Chief Executive of the Port of Rotterdam Authority.
"The port continues to profit from strong European exports, for which a lot of raw materials also need to be imported," Smits said.
The Journal of Commerce Online
Login
