Port of Rotterdam posts 2016 earnings, volumes results

Although throughput declined due to the port’s sluggish dry bulk segment, profits rose 5 percent from 2015 to 222.2 million euros, according to the Port of Rotterdam’s latest financial statements.    The Port of Rotterdam increased profits 5 percent year-over-year in 2016 to 222.2 million euros (U.S. $236.2 million), according to its most recent financial statements.
   The port spent 179.8 million euros in investments during the year, 16.4 percent more than in 2015.
   “In 2016, investments were made in projects such as the quay walls for Sif, the berths for Stena Line, the replacement and upgrading of buoys and poles, the development of Maasvlakte Plaza and quay walls for Koole Terminals,” the Port of Rotterdam Authority said.
   Over the next few years, investments are at least expected to be comparable to 2016 levels, the port authority added.
   Although profits were up, the port experienced a 1.1 percent drop in overall cargo throughput to 461.2 million metric tons, largely due to a sluggish dry bulk segment.
   The port handled 82.3 million metric tons of dry bulk in 2016, down 6.2 percent from 2015. Throughput of ores and scrap declined due to the dumping of Chinese steel, while coal volumes were also down as a result of the closure of coal-fired plants in the Netherlands and increases in wind and solar power, the port said.
   Meanwhile, liquid bulk volumes slipped 0.5 percent from 2015 to 223.5 million metric tons.
   However, container volumes ticked up 1.2 percent year-over-year in 2016 to 12.4 million TEUs. According to ocean carrier schedule and capacity database BlueWater Reporting’s Port Dashboard tool, 54 fully cellular container services currently call the Port of Rotterdam that connect it to regions outside of North Europe, in addition to dozens that strictly serve the intra-North Europe trade.
   Looking ahead, the port noted how the drastic alliance shifts that will take place in the coming months, resulting in new sailing schedules, is looking like it will play out in the port’s favor.