Rotterdam back on track
Europe's first port in terms of volume, Rotterdam, is back on the growth path after a difficult 2020. Volumes surged by 3% in Q1/2021, to 115.8 million t. The hub’s terminals handled a rising number of containers, namely 3.7 million teu or 4.5% more than in the same period of 2020. Measured in tonnes, however, container throughput actually showed a modest decline (minus 0.7%), which the port explained by an increase in the number of empty containers and a lower average weight per loaded unit.The most pronounced increase was observed in the volume of biomass handled (+36.7%), coal (+25.2%) and mineral oil products (+19.7%). Volumes declined in the segments LNG (a fall of 26.8%), agribulk (8.6% less) and other liquid bulk (minus 2.8%). Biomass throughput nevertheless rose, as a result of a strong increase in the volume of biomass co-fired at the Amer 9 power station in Geertruidenberg. (cd)www.portofrotterdam.com