The Amsterdam Seaports: modest transhipment rise in the first half of 2010

The reason for this decline has been the fact that, in the first half of 2009, the Amsterdam port did well particularly in terms of oil products. The consequences of the worldwide economic crisis then started to present themselves, according to the figures available for the first six months of 2010.  

Rise in IJmuiden

The Port of Amsterdam is part of the North Sea Canal region along with the ports of IJmuiden, Beverwijk and Zaanstad. In this region transhipment up to and including June 2010 increased by 4.2%. This rise mainly presented itself in IJmuiden, with 1.8 million tons more transhipment in the first six months. Intensified demand for steel has contributed considerably to this rise. Transhipment in Beverwijk remained equal, with Zaanstad witnessing a 32% decline.  

Fall in Amsterdam

The decline which the Amsterdam port experienced involved the transhipment of oil products (-8%) and pit coal (-15%). Reduced margins have been one of the reasons of declining fuel transhipment. Contrary to the coking coal required for the steel industry, demand for energy coal that matters to the Amsterdam port for the sake of electricity production in Germany, remains at a relatively low level.  

Transhipment of sand, gravel and minerals increased by 22%. Demand for industrial minerals is picking up while demand for overseas building materials remains undiminished high. Transhipment of agricultural bulk increased by 5%, container transhipment diminished by -57%, transhipment of mixed cargo remained equal while transhipment of roll-on roll-off increased by no less than 72%. 

Modest transhipment decline throughout 2010

For the entire year 2010 a 2 to 4% decline is anticipated as transhipment is expected to stabilise.  

Smart port

The Port of Amsterdam is the fourth largest port in Europe and aims to be a smart port with sustainable growth being the key objective. Growth that should ensure job opportunities and income with the Port making clever use of the available space; growth without damaging the quality of the water, soil and air; growth that will allow the people of Amsterdam to appreciate the port area even more and refer to it as being interesting and attractive. These are the ambitions of the Port of Amsterdam which it seeks to realise by joining hands with partners within the business community, city and region.

More information?

Anja Vonk, press officer at the Port of Amsterdam: 020 - 523 48 75 or 06 – 83164880 anja.vonk@portofamsterdam.nl