Rotterdam port hits record 467 million tonnes of freight in 2017

Loading container ships in Rotterdam. Photo: Depositphotos.com

The port of Rotterdam, Europe’s largest, continued to grow in 2017 spurred by a significant gain in container throughput, the port authority said in a statement on Thursday.

Total cargo throughput increased by 1.3% to 476 (461) million tonnes with the port returning to the growth trend seen before 2016.

Container throughput was significantly higher at 142.6 million tonnes, a 12.3% gain over the previous year.  In terms of TEUs – the usual way to express container numbers – throughput was 10.9% higher at 13.7 million.

The increase in containers was offset by a fall in dry bulk of 2.6% and in liquid bulk of 4.1%. Break bulk (roll-on/roll-off and other break bulk) increased by 7%.

The port authority booked net profit 16.5% lower at €187m on turnover 4.6% higher at  €712.1m in 2017. The net was lower because the port authority was subject to corporation tax from 1 January of that year. Investments rose by 18.9% to € 213.8m.

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