Port Of Rotterdam Reports Mixed Cargo Trends Amid Global Trade Volatility In Q1 2025

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Mfame Editor
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CEO Boudewijn Siemons attributes a turbulent first quarter to global uncertainty driven by geopolitical tensions and proposed U.S. import duties. Despite these challenges, the Port of Rotterdam remains committed to fostering a competitive investment climate through national and EU collaboration.

Dry Bulk: Iron Ore and Coal Decline, Agribulk Surges

  • Total dry bulk throughput declined by 8.6%.

  • Iron ore and scrap throughput dropped by 28.1% (2 million tonnes less), reflecting a slowdown in steel production.

  • Coal throughput decreased by 17.3% to 4.5 million tonnes, consistent with the long-term trend of reduced coal use in power generation.

  • In contrast, agribulk throughput rose by 22.7%, and other dry bulk jumped by 44.1%, attributed to the launch of a new dry bulk terminal.

Liquid Bulk: Crude and Oil Product Volumes Fall

  • Liquid bulk throughput decreased by 8.8% to 48 million tonnes.

  • Crude oil fell by 1.1 million tonnes due to lower refinery demand amid weaker refining margins in northwest Europe.

  • Mineral oil products dropped by 20.1% (2.9 million tonnes), with more diesel and kerosene being exported from Asia, Middle East, and India instead of Europe.

Containers and Breakbulk: Moderate Growth with Operational Challenges

  • Container throughput in TEUs increased by 2.2% to 3.3 million TEU, but tonnage declined by 1.1%, primarily due to lighter average container weight and a drop in full export containers.

  • Adverse weather in January and disruptions at the HPD2 terminal led to fewer ship visits and reduced productivity, though improvements were seen by March.

  • Transatlantic container throughput dropped by 23.1%, while imports from Asia grew 8.4%, driven by higher consumer goods demand.

Breakbulk: Modest Overall Growth Led by Project Cargo

  • Total breakbulk rose by 0.6% to 7.8 million tonnes.

    • RoRo cargo fell by 1.8% due to competition from road transport and low UK economic growth.

    • General breakbulk rose by 11.2% to 1.6 million tonnes, partly due to shipments of tubular piles for the Porthos project.

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Source: Port of Rotterdam