While Russian ports continue to show positive dynamics, the European port, with which our container throughput was previously closely established, is still struggling with its performance indicators.
The Port of Rotterdam reported a decline in container throughput in 2023:
- In the first nine months of 2023, the port handled 10.2 million TEU, which is 7.2% less than in the same period last year
- 329.9 million tons were handled compared to 351 million tons during the same months of 2022
- Ro-Ro volumes (-3.8%) and other general cargo (-13.7%) also decreased as a result of lower consumer spending, large warehouse inventories, and reduced investments
- The overall throughput of the breakbulk segment decreased by 6%
- Dry bulk handling volume decreased by 11.9%
- Coal throughput decreased by 16.8%
- The liquid bulk segment saw a 2.4% decrease, while LNG throughput slightly grew by 0.4%, as more LNG was imported to substitute Russian pipeline gas
- Crude oil throughput decreased by 1.9% as a result of increased maintenance work at oil refineries, leading to reduced crude oil shipments
- “The decline occurred mainly due to container and coal handling. Throughput of iron ore and scrap, bulk agricultural cargo, and LNG increased.”
The loss of Russian volumes naturally had an impact, but one can also add economic factors related to global trade demand, as well as “green” initiatives.
As port representatives stated, “global demand for freight transport remains lower than in 2022, driven by inflation, limited economic growth, geopolitical tensions, and rising spending on services rather than goods. This affects throughput in Rotterdam, and despite its decline, we continue to invest in a vital and climate-neutral port.”
In July, Rotterdam's performance figures for the first half of 2023 were reviewed.