Rotterdam Port Sees Fastest Growth in Europe

The Port of Rotterdam handled almost 235 million tons of cargo in the first six months of 2010, a 14.8 percent increase for the same period in 2009.

The Port of Rotterdam enjoyed the fastest growth in Europe, for January - June 2010, with a 14.8% increase on the same period in 2009. The port handled 235 million tonnes of cargo in the first half of 2010.

Hans Smits, Port of Rotterdam Authority CEO, belives that the growth is due to "an upturn in world trade, especially that involving China and Germany". He also reported that "Total throughput is now more or less back to the 2008 level…For the year as a whole, the increase is expected to be in the region of 10%. It will be exciting to see whether or not the port can make up for the losses of 2009 in just one year.”

The Port of Antwerp recorded a 12.7% growth, and the Port of Hamburg recorded an 8.1% increase.

Source: DutchNews and Port of Rotterdam Authority