Coal throughput at the Port of Rotterdam saw a marked increase over the first nine months of the year, driven by a revival in coking coal handling for blast furnaces, according to the Port of Rotterdam Authority. This surge follows an unusually subdued period last year caused by widespread downturns in the European steel sector. Thanks largely to a recovery in German steelmaking, alongside elevated natural gas prices that spurred demand for coal-fired power generation, overall coal volumes climbed by 15.3 per cent compared to the same period a year earlier. However, this rebound did not trigger a matching rise in iron ore and scrap metal handling, as persistent low water levels along key river routes hindered inland barge transport, prompting steel manufacturers to rely heavily on existing stock reserves.
Energy commodities also played a major role in port activity, with European refineries importing higher volumes of crude oil to compensate for global supply chain disruptions linked to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Crude imports rose by nearly 2 per cent year-on-year, while exports of processed oil products surged by 31.9 per cent as strong refining margins encouraged higher production for re-export.
In contrast, container terminals recorded virtually flat growth compared to last year. The port noted a higher proportion of repositioned empty containers moving through its docks, reflecting a widening trade imbalance where import volumes continue to outstrip outbound exports. Across all cargo categories, total throughput at Europe’s largest port rose by 0.9 per cent to reach 323.2 million tonnes.
@anp | NEWS BRAINPORT
