Rotterdam harbor chalks up new record

THE HAGUE - Agence France-Presse

The Rotterdam port’s transshipment is strongly linked to the development of relevant world trade and German industrial production, according to its chief executive.

Rotterdam, Europe’s largest container port and among the world’s top 10, announced yesterday it recorded a new record throughput of 433 million tons, despite the continent’s economic downturn.

“The transshipment for 2011 has increased by 0.8 percent to 433 million tons for 2011. That is three million tons more than in the previous record year of 2010,” said a statement.

“Despite the unfavorable economy and a fall in turnover since November, it’s the ninth time in 10 years we can chalk up growth,” added Hans Smits, the port’s chief executive.

Increases in the transshipment of agricultural products, coal and containers was offset by a decline in the turnover of crude oil and scrap metal.

The port said it has beefed up its position in trade between Asia and Europe notably thanks to facilities to handle ships carrying 10,000 to 15,000 containers “more easily than the competition.”

Rotterdam ranked 10th

“The harbor’s transshipment is strongly linked to the development of relevant world trade and German industrial production,” Smits said. “Based on this, we expect to maintain current levels next year. I expect that we’ll have the European confidence crisis behind us by the second part of next year.”
Rotterdam was ranked as the 10th-largest container port last year, based on 2009 container figures according to The Economist, with Singapore and Shanghai occupying the first and second places respectively.