ROTTERDAM
Record throughput in 2008 - A decrease of 5-8%
is expected for 2009

JAN, 19.2009

Port of Rotterdam - Container Terminal

Despite a poor last quarter, goods throughput in the Port of Rotterdam increased in 2008 to the record level of 420m tonnes, 2.7% more than 2007. Imports grew by almost 4% to 312m tonnes, exports fell by 0.5% to 108m tonnes.

Bulk goods saw a small increase of 4%, general cargo almost 1%. Other dry bulk (-7%), roll on/roll off (-1%) and other general cargo (-17%) saw a drop in imports and exports. Handled coal remained stable. The throughput of agribulk (+7%), ores and scrap (+9%), crude oil (+3%), mineral oil products (+1%), other liquid bulk (+10%) and containers (+3%) saw a positive development.

Records were broken in three sectors: mineral oil products, other liquid bulk and containers. In units the throughput of containers remained stable at 10.8m TEUs.

• Hans Smits, CEO of the Port of Rotterdam Authority, stated: "The port of Rotterdam has had an excellent year with record throughput, continuing high investments and the start of the construction of the Second Maasvlakte, at the beginning of September. Certainly, throughput will initially fall very substantially in 2009. An average of 100m tonnes per quarter we will be able to achieve (5-8% drop) and we would be happy if we can achieve 400m tonnes".