Port of Rotterdam boosts box traffic, gains share

Port of Rotterdam boosts box traffic, gains share    The port of Rotterdam boosted its container traffic 16 percent to 4.6 million TEUs in the first half of this year, reversing the previous trend of below-average volume growth.
   Europe’s largest container port described the container throughput as exceptional, adding it is the first time in more than a decade that Rotterdam’s growth in containers has exceeded that of its closest rivals.
   The port of Hamburg’s half-year box traffic was up 12 percent to 3.8 million TEUs, while Antwerp, Europe’s third-largest container port, increased its box volume 3 percent to 3.1 million TEUs in the first six months of the year.
   Overall, container traffic at the major European ports has shown sustained growth so far this year.
      “Growth continues at an unprecedentedly high level, certainly if we take into account the moderate macro-economic situation,” said Hans Smits, chief executive officer of Havenbedrijf Rotterdam. “This is noticeable, in the declining throughput of iron ore for instance, but, on the other hand, the increase in containers is exceptional and that in other dry bulk is notable.”
   The Dutch port said its container growth continues to be driven by the Far East, Brazil and the Baltic region. Feeder traffic to the United Kingdom increased, but overall intra-European transport remained constant.
   Contrary to last summer, container terminals at the port of Rotterdam coped well with higher volumes and avoided a return to congestion.
   But the port of Rotterdam expects growth to slow down in the second half of the year. “It is quite likely that the worsening macro-economic situation will have an effect and, in addition, more throughput capacity is gradually becoming available in Northwest Europe,” the port said.
   In the first half of 2005, Rotterdam’s total traffic for all types of commodities went up 5 percent to 185 million tons of cargo.