Port of Amsterdam reports increase in bulk transhipments

The Port of Amsterdam is the largest port in the region and saw transhipment rise by 6.9% to 42.2 million t in the first half of 2017 (first half of 2016: 39.5 million t). 

Transhipment grew in IJmuiden to 9.1 million t (+7.0%), increased in Beverwijk to 600 000 t (+80%) and decreased in Zaanstad to 95 000 t (-22%).

The Port of Amsterdam 

The increase in Amsterdam in the first half of 2017 is attributable to the transhipment of oil products, coal and construction materials. The transhipment of oil products rose by 7.1% to 23.7 million t compared to 22.1 million t in the first half of 2016. Good market conditions, efficiency improvements in the chain and higher capacity utilisation are the primary causes for the increase in the transhipment of oil products. 8.6 million t of coal were transhipped in the first half of 2017, representing an increase of more than 20% compared to the first half of 2016 when the amount stood at 7.1 million t. Despite this increase, volume remains far below the level of previous years. The main reasons for the recovery are the higher coal price and the replenishment of stocks that were used in the winter.

The transhipment of agribulk stabilised at 3.3 million t. Other dry bulk cargo, including construction materials and ores, grew by 17% to 3.8 million t.

The transhipment of containers rose to 350 000 t, which is a 6.9% increase compared to the same period last year, while the transhipment of other mixed cargo, including RoRo, increased from 883 000 t to 926 000 t (+5%) in the first half of 2017.

Cruise

The number of sea cruise ships that called at Amsterdam in the first half of 2017 stood at 53, compared to 52 in the same period of last year. The number of river cruise ships rose to 1009 in the first half of 2017, compared to 990 in the same period of last year.

Imports and exports

Imports in the Port of Amsterdam increased by 8.7% to 26.2 million t in the first half of 2017. Exports rose by 4.1% to 16 million t in the same period. The North Sea Canal Area also saw imports rise to 34.2 million t (+8.8%) and exports increase by 4.7%. The number of ships that called at the North Sea Canal Area decreased slightly (-0.5%).

Outlook 2017

Port of Amsterdam CEO Koen Overtook said: ‘We have had a good first half year. It pleases us that the market players continue to view Amsterdam as their preferred port. In the first half of this year, we have seen an increase in wet and dry bulk and general cargo, which are our main cargo flows. We have also taken a number of major steps forward in the field of sustainable energy through our stake in the Ruigoord wind farm in Afrikahaven. Port of Amsterdam’s diversification strategy has demonstrated good progress by attracting investments in circular industry, large-scale logistics and the manufacturing industry.’

Read the article online at: https://www.drybulkmagazine.com/shipping/31072017/port-of-amsterdam-reports-increase-in-bulk-transhipments/