The volume growth was primarily due to containers, crude oil, LNG (liquefied natural gas) and biomass. Lower throughput was recorded for coal and petroleum products. "In the third quarter, we again saw healthy growth in containers - one of the strategic cornerstones of the Port of Rotterdam Authority," comments Allard Castelein, CEO of the Port of Rotterdam Authority. "However, it is worrying that the relationship between the world's major trading blocs remains tense. As is the ongoing uncertainty about the introduction of trade tariffs after Brexit."

Dry bulk: 1.4% less than in the previous year
A total of 55.9 million tons of dry bulk were handled in the first three quarters of 2019, 1.4% less than in the previous year. The throughput of iron ore grew by 2% in the first three quarters of 2019. This growth mainly took place in the first half of the year. After a good start in the first few months of this year, the handling of steam coal declined sharply. Biomass grew strongly with an increase of 84 %. Handling of agricultural bulk remained almost constant compared to the previous year.

Liquid bulk: throughput similar to the previous year, decline in mineral oil
Throughput of liquid bulk amounted to 159.5 million tons in the first three quarters of 2019. This is almost exactly the same volume as the previous year. Handling of crude oil was above the previous year's level in all three quarters of 2019, resulting in an increase of 2.8 %.

The petroleum products segment recorded a decline of a good 10 %. This is the result of significantly lower global trade in heating oil, a trend that has been continuing for several years. There was a slight increase in the handling of other fuels, such as diesel, in the mineral oil products segment. LNG (liquefied natural gas) continued to record strong growth. In the first three quarters of 2019, the increase amounted to 46 %.

Containers and general cargo
Container throughput in tons was 3.3 million tons higher in the first three quarters than in the previous year (corresponding to 3.8 % in TEU). This growth mainly took place in the first half of the year. In the third quarter, the growth curve lost height. This was caused by a general slowdown in global trade growth and a decline in short sea traffic to the Eastern Mediterranean. The "other general cargo" segment recorded growth of 4.4% in the first three quarters.