Amsterdam Seaports: modest transhipment rise in 2010
Amsterdam Seaports (the ports of the North Sea Canal region) have ended the year 2010 with a 4% transhipment increase. The port region concluded the year with transhipment worth approximately 90 million tonnes.
Strong recovery
The 2010 figures indicate that recovery presented itself after the ports suffered the consequences of the worldwide economic crisis in 2009. The Port of Amsterdam witnessed a particularly strong recovery in the final months of the year.
2010 figures
The Port of Amsterdam is part of the North Sea Canal region along with the ports of IJmuiden, Beverwijk and Zaanstad.
Compared to the previous year, transhipment in the Port of Amsterdam declined slightly by 1% to approximately 72.5 million tonnes. After a 7.1% drop in the first six months, the second half of the year showed a strong 5% recovery. Total transhipment almost reached the 2009 level.
Rise in IJmuiden
In IJmuiden, transhipment increased by 30%, reaching 17 million tonnes particularly due to the intensified demand for steel. In Zaanstad, transhipment stabilised compared to last year, while Beverwijk also witnessed an increase.
Fourth port of Europe
Port of Amsterdam’s President and CEO Dertje Meijer commented on the figures, saying: “Despite the economic crisis, the Amsterdam port region managed to book good results registering a 4% increase. Transhipment decline was no more than 1%, which is tiny. Last year our port was the fourth port of North West Europe following Rotterdam, Antwerp and Hamburg. I am very proud of this."
Recovery in the second half of the year
The year 2010 indicates that decline in the transhipment of oil products and pit coal in the first six months was followed by a rise in the second half of the year. Recovery is also visible in the rising transhipment of ore.
The same applies to agricultural bulk, sand, gravel and minerals. Roll-on/Roll-off transhipment recovered strongly this year, while general cargo and container transhipment declined. In total the Port of Amsterdam processed an impressive 1 million tonnes of container cargo in 2010.
Logistics site
A total of 200,000 square metres of logistics site is under construction in the Netherlands with half of this taking place in Amsterdam (100,000m2). The Port of Amsterdam allocated approximately 25 hectares of land in Atlaspark, Minervahaven and the oil terminals.
Outlook 2011
The Port of Amsterdam expects current transhipment to stabilise in the coming year. Unfortunately, the crisis continues for some of the relevant sectors, but hopefully the port will continue to benefit from the gradual economic growth expected in general in 2011.
Smart port
The Port of Amsterdam is the fourth largest port in Europe and aims to be a smart port with sustainable growth being the key objective. Growth that should ensure job opportunities and income with the Port making clever use of the available space; growth without damaging the quality of the water, soil and air; growth that will allow the people of Amsterdam to appreciate the port area even more and refer to it as being interesting and attractive.
The Port of Amsterdam seeks to realise these ambitions by cooperating with partners within the business community, city and region.
Source: Port of Amsterdam
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