Modest growth at Rotterdam
At 469 million t, the port of Rotterdam’s total throughput in 2018 was only slightly higher than in 2017 (467.4 million t). Container transhipment, with a 4.5% increase in tonnage, drove the growth. The surge, measured in teu was higher, at 5.7%, and the annual total amounted to 14.5 million teu.
Whilst box transhipment continued to grow, volumes in the crude oil, mineral oil products and agribulk sectors fell. The LNG throughput (+163.6%) and biomass (+31.6%) again noted spectacular rises, though on a more modest basis than in 2017.
2018 was a year of major investments for the Dutch port. Gross investments rose by 91% to EUR 408.1 million (2017: EUR 213.8 million). The measures include the container exchange route on the Maasvlakte, the Princess Amalia viaduct and the relocation of the port railway via the Theemsweg route. (kd)