Box volumes last year at 14.5m teu is an increase of 5.7% compared to 2017. Transhipment volumes recorded 4.5% year-on-year growth.
“A key factor in the increase in 2018 was the growth in numbers of transhipment and full import containers. Container exports developed less strongly, partly due to Chinese import restrictions on waste flows. The shortsea segment suffered from slowdowns in the British and Russian economies,” Port of Rotterdam Authority stated.
While container transhipment continued to grow at a healthy pace, that of crude oil, mineral oil products and agribulk fell.
At 469m tonnes, the port of Rotterdam’s total throughput volume ended up slightly higher in 2018 than in 2017, which was itself a record year at 467.4m tonnes.
“The port authority expects throughput volume to increase slightly in 2019, with container sector growth being lower than the exceptional levels seen in previous years,” the port authority said.
The authority said it is implementing a ‘both-and’ strategy aimed at strengthening the existing port industrial complex and embracing new initiatives in the fields of energy transition and digitisation.
“Partly because of this, we also expect high investment levels in the years ahead,” the port authority said.
The authority also pointed out that its progress in environmental and social contribution has been equally important.
Read more: Rotterdam port to widen green shipping discount from 2019
“The Port of Rotterdam Authority is committed to drastically reducing CO2 emissions in order to help achieve the ambitious national climate target,” the authority said.
“We want to play a pioneering role and make the port an inspiring example of human capital, so that the Rotterdam port and industrial area will still be making a substantial contribution to Dutch prosperity and employment in 2050.
One important initiative highlighted is the Leer Werk Akkoord involving the municipality, educational institutions and the business sector to offer jobs for the long term unemployed in the Rotterdam-Rijnmond region.
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