Rotterdam looks to comeback after Antwerp takes market share
Time: 2016-08-30 13:45
DESPITE cargo losses to its Belgian rival Antwerp, the Port of Rotterdam remains confident that lost volumes will return once its new facilities are fully operational.
Cargo will return after the Maasvlakte 2 RWG (Rotterdam World Gateway) and APM Terminals automated facilities spring to life, Rotterdam port officials told London's Loadstar.
But in the first half of 2016, Rotterdam volume fell 2.3 per cent year on year to six million TEU while Antwerp grew 4.4 per cent to five million TEU.
Not to worry, said Rotterdam CEO Allard Castelein. He and other port officials believe shipping lines now calling at Antwerp will return.
Yet Europe's first container terminal, ECT (Europe Container Terminal) - celebrating its 50th anniversary - is losing out both to Antwerp and to the "new kids on the block - at Maasvlakte 2.
Results were disappointing last year at Hutchison-owned ECT: a one per cent decline in revenue and a 3.3 per cent decrease in throughput.
ECT also suffered a decrease of Chinese imports and a shift of carriers, especially 2M alliance partners MSC and Maersk, to Antwerp - MSC's traditional hub.
The problem was identified by ECT public relations officer Rob Bagchus. "The question is, where is that cargo today? As it is, there is overcapacity in North European ports and pressure on rates in the supply chain."
Cargo will return after the Maasvlakte 2 RWG (Rotterdam World Gateway) and APM Terminals automated facilities spring to life, Rotterdam port officials told London's Loadstar.
But in the first half of 2016, Rotterdam volume fell 2.3 per cent year on year to six million TEU while Antwerp grew 4.4 per cent to five million TEU.
Not to worry, said Rotterdam CEO Allard Castelein. He and other port officials believe shipping lines now calling at Antwerp will return.
Yet Europe's first container terminal, ECT (Europe Container Terminal) - celebrating its 50th anniversary - is losing out both to Antwerp and to the "new kids on the block - at Maasvlakte 2.
Results were disappointing last year at Hutchison-owned ECT: a one per cent decline in revenue and a 3.3 per cent decrease in throughput.
ECT also suffered a decrease of Chinese imports and a shift of carriers, especially 2M alliance partners MSC and Maersk, to Antwerp - MSC's traditional hub.
The problem was identified by ECT public relations officer Rob Bagchus. "The question is, where is that cargo today? As it is, there is overcapacity in North European ports and pressure on rates in the supply chain."
