In the first half of this year the traffic of goods in the port of Rotterdam grew by 1, 0% to 214,927,000 tonnes compared to 212,785,000 tons in the first half of 2010. The landing goods amounted to 153,461,000 tons (+2.0%) and those boarding at 61,466,000 tons (-1.4%).
In the field of cargo were handled 74,685,000 tons (+12.2%), of which 61,797,000 tons of containerized cargo (+11.7%), 8,778,000 tonnes of rail vehicles (+5.6%) and 4,110,000 tons of conventional cargo (+27.7%). The handling of containers was equal to nearly six million TEUs (+9.7%).
The bulk of the traffic has decreased overall by 4.1% to 140,242,000 tons, of which 43,084,000 tons of dry bulk cargo (+3.0%) and 97,157,000 tons of liquid bulk cargo (-6.9%). In the area of solid goods, agricultural bulk cargo totaled 4,633,000 tons (+26.0%), coal 12,669,000 tons (+5.5%), iron ore and scrap 19,367,000 tons (-6 , 9%) and other bulk cargo 6,415,000 tons (+20.5%).The traffic of crude oil amounted to 46,177,000 tons (-8.3%), the 35,041,000 tons of oil products (-8.6%) and other bulk liquids were 15,886,000 tons (+1, 1%) in addition to 53,000 tons of liquefied natural gas.
"Overall - said the CEO of the Port Authority of Rotterdam, Hans Smits - traffic stood at high level in 2010. This also applies to investment in both the Port of Rotterdam and companies. The overall traffic growth has been limited mainly by the decline of the movement of petroleum products, which in the first quarter of 2010 was particularly high. Rather were also significant maintenance work at refineries. The seven million tons of decline in the oil sector were almost entirely offset by double digit growth over the container. Just in the first half, for the first time in decades - said Smits - has added a completely new category of commodities: liquefied natural gas, which not only contributes to traffic, but also the structural strengthening of the port industry and strategic role in the energy sector in the Netherlands and Western Europe. "
"The positive development of the port of Rotterdam - continued Smits - is closely related to world trade, particularly those with China and Germany. The financial turmoil in financial markets and their influence on consumer confidence can have a negative effect on world trade and therefore on our traffic. There is an absolute need for a rapid and clear political decision to prevent negative developments. However, I predict that in the third quarter of the traffic will be developed according to objectives. July was a good month of August and September the goods are already coming. Despite the uncertainty concerning the fourth quarter, I believe that the traffic of the entire year will show a slight increase. "
- Via Raffaele Paolucci 17r/19r - 16129 Genoa - ITALY
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In the first half of this year the traffic of goods in the port of Rotterdam grew by 1, 0% to 214,927,000 tonnes compared to 212,785,000 tons in the first half of 2010. The landing goods amounted to 153,461,000 tons (+2.0%) and those boarding at 61,466,000 tons (-1.4%). 
- Via Raffaele Paolucci 17r/19r - 16129 Genoa - ITALY
