Rotterdam first half box traffic up 18pc to 5.4 million TEU

CONTAINER volume through Rotterdam increased 18 per cent to 5.4 million TEU in the first half year while overall cargo throughput rose 14.8 per cent to 213 million tonnes, according Port of Rotterdam Authority statistics.

The port authority's said its results for full year 2010 are expected to be 10 per cent higher than they were in 2009.

Outgoing trade rose 15 per cent to 62 million tonnes, incoming by 14.7 per cent to 150 million tonnes. Bulk cargo increased 14.3 per cent to 146 million tonnes. General cargo was up 15.7 per cent to 66 million tonnes.

But agribulk was down 20 per cent while coal fell one per cent. All other cargo was in the black: ores and scrap (+150%), other dry bulk (+36%), crude oil (+3%), mineral oil product (+8%), other liquid bulk (+7%) and ro-ro (+2%).

Financially, the first half results were up by EUR13 million (US$16.5 million) year on year to EUR90 million, largely attributed to higher revenues from leasing sites, which increased nine per cent to EUR10 million due to new site allocations and indexation, said the port press release.

Seaport dues were up four per cent to EUR6 million, an increase lower than the 15 per cent rise in throughput. This was attributed to a one-off discount in 2010 of seven per cent on seaport dues because of the global downturn.

"A stable trend in the results is important for the Port Authority, considering its sizeable investment programme for the medium and long term. This involves investments in both the existing port area and Maasvlakte 2 [land reclamation]. About half of these investments will be funded from the operational cash flow and the other half from the capital market," said the port statement.

In the first half year, the port authority invested EUR200 million, 26 per cent more than in the first six months of 2009. Of this, EUR200 million, EUR72 million was invested in the existing port and EUR128 in Maasvlakte 2.

"This means that total investment in the first half were more than three times higher than total depreciation in the first half year. Investments will reach EUR545 million this year and will increase further in 2011 to EUR700 million. In this way, the port authority is investing in a healthy future for the main port and further strengthening of the Dutch economy," said the port authority statement.
(Source:www.schednet.com)