Sailors SocietyVan AalstGeneva DryPort of South LouisianaTelestackBühler GmbH
  • Port of Stockton
  • Cimbria
  • Port of South Louisiana
  • Telestack
  • Vigan
  • TBA Group

Rotterdam stays on course in exceptional times

Rotterdam stays on course in exceptional times

(Posted on 11/03/21)

The online publication of the Annual Report 2020 for the Port of Rotterdam Authority reveals that in a year when society at large was severely disrupted, the port of Rotterdam has confirmed its role as a reliable partner in the logistics chain by staying open 24/7. Goods volumes recovered in the second half year, limiting the decline in annual volume to 6.9% by comparison with the previous year. The financial results were better than in 2019, primarily due to one-off income items and cost savings. The net result was €351.7 million.

'The title of our annual report accurately reflects how we experienced 2020. It was a turbulent year. We were constantly looking for, and finding, solutions to a succession of new questions. Working with a large range of parties, we successfully kept the port fully operational. We are proud of that success,' said Allard Castelein CEO Port of Rotterdam Authority.

The port achieved throughput of 436.8 million tonnes in 2020, 6.9% less than in 2019. Despite the disruptive impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy, production and logistics, the port of Rotterdam remained fully operational. The economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic was the primary factor behind the decrease in volume. Throughput in Greater Rotterdam includes throughput in the terminals Hook of Holland, Dordrecht, Schiedam and Vlaardingen. In 2020, this throughput accounted for 4.1% of the total throughput volume for incoming and outgoing flows.

The throughput of dry bulk amounted to 63.8 million tonnes, 14.3% less than in 2019. Dry bulk accounts for 15% of throughput in the port of Rotterdam. Falling volumes were seen primarily in the throughput of iron ore and scrap (-24.5%) and coal (-22.8%). Incoming iron ore fell, mainly due to a major decline in German steel production. 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. A low gas price meant that more gas and less coal was used for power production. In addition, favourable weather conditions meant that there was an increase in the available wind energy, reducing the need to switch to coal-fired power stations. The Onyx power station on the Maasvlakte was also shut down. There was a sharp increase in biomass (+108.3%) due to the continued rise in co-firing in power stations. Agricultural bulk also rose, mainly due to more imports and stockpiling.

The port of Rotterdam had a safe year for shipping. There were no very serious nautical accidents, with the number being almost unchanged from 2019.

Latest News

Euroports secures long-term future in Venice with 25-year deal

(Posted on 31/03/25)

Euroports has announced the renewal of the concession for Terminal Rinfuse Venezia (TRV) at Porto Marghera... Read more


Panama Canal promotes sustainable maritime shipping with NetZero Slot

(Posted on 27/03/25)

Contributing to the commitment of achieving net zero emissions by 2050, the Panama Canal authority has... Read more


Saguenay Port brings electric-driven Konecranes Gottwald MHC to Canada

(Posted on 27/03/25)

The Saguenay Port Authority in Quebec has ordered a Konecranes Gottwald ESP.6B Mobile Harbor Crane for... Read more


Cas König joins North Sea Port as new CEO

(Posted on 18/03/25)

North Sea Port Supervisory Body has appointed Cas König as the port authority's new CEO. Kö... Read more


Inspirational leader, Trois-Rivières Port President and CEO, Bovin to retire this year

(Posted on 12/03/25)

After 19 years at the helm of the Port of Trois-Rivières and a career rich in major projects,... Read more


State-of-the-art cranes for Egyptian multipurpose cargo terminal

(Posted on 06/03/25)

Abu Dhabi based AD Ports Group, an enabler of integrated trade, transport and logistics solutions, has... Read more


Call for swift implementation of Europe’s Clean Industrial Deal

(Posted on 01/03/25)

The Port of Rotterdam and Port of Antwerp-Bruges have welcomed the Clean Industrial Deal, through which... Read more


Canadian Government invests $87.1M in Trois-Rivières Terminals project

(Posted on 28/02/25)

The Canadian Port of Trois-Rivières is delighted to have received major funding of $87.1 million... Read more


Katoen Natie invests in four all-electric Konecranes Gottwald MHCs

(Posted on 15/02/25)

Belgian logistics giant Katoen Natie has ordered four all-electric Konecranes Gottwald Mobile Harbor... Read more


AD Ports reports another year of record results

(Posted on 14/02/25)

AD Ports Group, Abu Dhabi based enabler of integrated trade, transport and logistics solutions, has... Read more


ViganPort of StocktonTBA GroupTMS Awards 2023Cimbria
  • TMS Awards 2023
  • Geneva Dry

Subscribe to our newsletter

Keep up to date with the latest global news in bulk cargo handling and shipping