Cargo throughput at the port of Rotterdam fell by 6.8 per cent in the first half of 2016. The decline was strongest in dry bulk (-9.9 per cent). The number of containers passing through the port fell by 2.3 per cent.
Turnover for the past six months came to 336.9 million euros. That is 2 million euros lower than in the first half of 2015, when throughput rose by as much as 6.8 per cent. Seaport dues fell by €5.8 million, mainly caused by a drop in transhipment. Contract income increased by €4.5 million. The net result in the first half of 2016 was 96.6 million euros, down from 2015. At that time, the net result was 122.5 million euros. According to Port of Rotterdam, this is due to a partial surrender of the interest rate swap. "As a result, financial expenses increased by €29.3 million in 2016 compared to 2015 but future interest expenses will decrease. Investments for the whole of 2016 are expected to be about the same as 2015," Port of Rotterdam stated in a press release.
Climate accord, Brexit and protectionism are challenges
The Rotterdam port and industrial complex is said to be currently facing a major dynamic. "The Paris Climate Accord, lack of clarity on how the energy transition will take shape (inter)nationally, the consequences of a Brexit and emerging protectionism, the persistently low oil price, digitalisation of society, formation of new alliances of container shipping companies and the like lead to uncertainty, but certainly also opportunities," the press release reads.
Energy transition and digitalisation
Energy transition and digitalisation are expected to be of great importance for the port in the coming years. Port of Rotterdam reports that the port is well prepared in both areas to succeed in this. "It is precisely the size of the Rotterdam energy and chemical cluster, the size of the logistics flows and the fact that leading companies are located here that make the starting position favourable. Whether it is about the opportunities for increasing efficiency, for bio-based production, for utilising excess heat, for capturing and storing CO2 or for organising logistics processes more efficiently through smart ICT applications. Innovation is a key concept in many of these processes. In the past six months, several concrete steps have been taken in the field of energy transition and digitalisation."
Editorial LogistiekProfs
