The port of Rotterdam closed 2022 with a total cargo throughout of 467.4 million tonnes; a -03.% downturn compared to the previous year.
The number of containers handled was down by 5.5% in terms of TEUs (-9.6% in tonnes) due to the slowdown in traffic flows with Russia.
Liquefied Natural Gas imports, mainly from the US, increased by 63.9%. A total of 11.5 million tonnes of LNG cargo were handled. Coal imports were up by 17.9%.
“2022 was an extraordinary year in many respects,” said Rotterdam Port Authority CEO Allard Castelein: “The war and sanctions led to changes in energy flows around the world and high energy prices, and therefore high inflation and a weakening economy. Rotterdam’s business sector and all service providers were able to respond quickly and effectively’.
Castelein emphasised that the war should act as an incentive to make Dutch and European energy and industry more resilient. “This will mean accelerating the production of renewable energy. However, other factors are involved. These include the lack of progress on tackling nitrogen emissions, high energy prices in Europe and the speed and scale of the US government’s efforts to increase the sustainability of its industry. They could put the Netherlands and Europe at a disadvantage. We really need to move up a gear in that respect.”
Translation by Giles Foster
