Turnover of Port of Rotterdam returned on growth in September after the negative start of the year. In period January-September 2016, the port handled 9.3 million TEU. The container throughput represent a decrease of 0.4% yoy, decline was attributable to the reduction of traffic in the first five months and recovering from the sharp drop during the first half of the year. However, since June, the volume grew. It is expected that the positive trend will continue in the fourth quarter. For comparison, in the first half of 2016 the Port of Rotterdam container turnover decreased by 2.3% yoy.

The aggregate turnover of Port of Rotterdam in period January-September amounted to 344.7 million tons, which represent a decrease of 1.9% yoy. The decline was largely due to a sharp drop in volumes of coal and iron ore. The volumes of dry cargo decreased by 7.8% yoy to 60.3 million tons, including iron ore and scrap decrease of 8.5% yoy and coal by 10.3% yoy. Handling of liquid cargo decreased by 0.4% tot to 160 million tonnes.

Port of Rotterdam continue to be the busiest port in Europe. On second position is Port of Antwerp, which reported an increase of 4% during the first nine months of the year, handled 7.56 million TEU.

Port of Rotterdam is the largest port in Europe, located in the city of Rotterdam, Netherlands. Covering 105 sq km, the port of Rotterdam now stretches over a distance of 40 km. It consists of the city center’s historic harbor area and harbor terminals. Rotterdam consists of five distinct port areas and three distribution parks.