Port of Switzerland's versatile Q1/2020
The Swiss Rhine ports posted a turnover of 1.2 million t in the first three months of this year, more than 20% lower than in the first quarter of 2019. Q1/2019 was particularly successful, owing to catch-up effects after a period of low water levels.
Although the "corona effect" began to make itself felt in March, the container segment remained comparatively stable, with a decline of only 8.4% compared to the same period of the previous year. Cargo transhipment in the Rhine ports remains fully operational despite the measures to combat the pandemic.
Current low water levels, combined with the slump in worldwide trade and domestic demand due to the Covid-19 outbreak, led to a reduction of goods volumes. However, thanks to the Mannheim Act, Rhine shipping is not affected by border restrictions or traffic congestion.
Export traffic was most strongly impacted, with its volume dropping by 34.4% to 185,353 t. Import traffic recorded a throughput of 1,022,961 t, 18.4% down from Q1/2019. (mw)