Empty container traffic helps Port of Rotterdam to TEU bounce

The Port of Rotterdam Authority saw its TEU throughput rise by 8.7% in H1 has it broke its six-month traffic record, driven mainly by empty containers and a rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Port Authority said even though TEU traffic rose by 8.7%, container throughput when measured by tonnage rose by 4.4%, a disparity explained by the demand for empty boxes in Asia.

The rise in demand for consumer goods, in combination with disruptions in the logistical chains (including the Suez Canal blockage, the corona outbreak and lockdown in the port of Shenzhen) caused global delays and high freight tariffs; the handling of container flows was quite smooth in Rotterdam, the Port Authority explained.

Allard Castelein, CEO of the Port of Rotterdam Authority: “It is encouraging to see that the total throughput volume is increasing quarter on quarter. However, this does not mean that the port of Rotterdam has already made up entirely for last year’s corona dip.

“The Port Authority’s financial results were satisfactory. They allow us to continue investing in the port of the future, in the transition to cleaner energy and in good accessibility so that we can help our clients bring more cargo to Rotterdam.

“We believe that our investments have a significant impact on employment, sustainability and society.”

https://www.porttechnology.org/news/empty-container-traffic-helps-port-of-rotterdam-to-teu-bounce/