The Port of Rotterdam decreased 9.1% of cargo volume in the first half of 2020

The Port of Rotterdam handled 218.9 million tons of cargo in the first half of 2020, and recorded a record 9.1% decline in volume compared to the same period in 2019.

Particularly affected is the dry cargo output which has decreased by 19% in the first half of 2020 to 30.8 million tons. In which, the main drop came from iron ore and scrap with a drop of 22%; and 34% for coal.

"The steel factories that use the port of Rotterdam for the supply of ore are producing much less than usual. Demand for steel fell sharply from March onwards as a result of production stoppages in the automotive industry and construction", the port commented.

For liquid product volume: it will be reduced by 10 million tons to 99.8 million tons in the first half of 2020, down more than 9% compared to the same period last year. Mineral oil products, mainly fuel oil, dropped the most by 22% in the first half.

Container volume: decreased by 7% in TEU and 3% in cargo volume in the first half of this year. "Shipping companies cancelled up to 20% of all their services in May and June. The decline in throughput was nevertheless less pronounced due to the increased call sizes of vessels calling at Rotterdam" the port said.

Along with that, bulk cargoes were reduced by 11% and ro-ro ship production also dropped by more than 12% in the first half of this year.

Allard Castelein, managing director of the Port of Rotterdam, said: "The negative economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic is being felt worldwide. It should therefore come as no surprise that throughput volumes in the past six months were considerably lower than in the same period last year. On the positive side, the throughput volumes in the second quarter turned out to be better than initially expected."

Phaata (Adapted from Seatrade-Maritime)

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