Strong first quarter for the Port of Gothenburg

During the first quarter, 233,000 TEUs were shipped via the Port of Gothenburg, packed with everything from home electronics, clothes, furniture and food to paper, chemicals, steel and primary materials for industry.


The figures are up six per cent on last year, setting a new record. Exports to the US on the other hand remain sluggish.
"We have direct routes to North America, which allows us to keep a close watch on how trade is developing. The current economic problems facing the US are reflected clearly in a fall in freight volumes," said Magnus Karestedt, Port of Gothenburg chief executive.


Around 45 per cent of all containers to and from the Port of Gothenburg are moved by rail rather than road – a unique figure by international standards. During the first quarter, rail transport increased by eight per cent.


Ro-ro traffic was up 10 per cent during the first quarter although traffic to the UK is lagging behind the rest of Europe.


Cars and other vehicles were hit hardest during the crisis. The recovery commenced during the latter half of 2009 and continued during the first quarter of 2011. 64,000 cars were shipped via the port during the period – an increase of 39 per cent.


"The quarterly report shows that imports and exports of cars in Europe are back to pre-crisis levels although trade with other parts of the world is still clearly below 2007 and 2008 levels," said Karestedt.
(Source:http://www.cargonewsasia.com)