Freight News, Sea

Tonnage up but boxes down in Rotterdam

[ July 27, 2026   //   Chris Lewis ]

Total throughput at the port of Rotterdam rose by 0.4% in the first half of 2026 compared to the same period last year, to 212.0 million tonnes. Container throughput fell by 0.1% TEU or 2.6% tonnes, while dry bulks rose by 1.7 and liquid bulk by 2.4%. Port authority chief executive, Boudewijn Siemons, said that while the war in the Persian Gulf and closure of the Strait of Hormuz had had limited direct impact on the operations and throughput, higher energy prices and increasing uncertainty have rocked the international market.
Direct container traffic to and from countries on the Persian Gulf accounts for 1% of the total container volume and, following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, new routes were established fairly quickly via other ports not situated on the Persian Gulf. The negative consequences for the port of Rotterdam have therefore been limited.
Ro ro throughput increased by 1% to 13 million tonnes due to an increase in UK demand.

Tags: Rotterdam