Overall Rotterdam throughput shows slight decline with dry bulk down 6.5%
(Posted on 27/02/26)
Throughput in the port of Rotterdam fell by 1.7% in 2025. This brought total throughput to 428.4 million tons. The largest decline of 6.5% occurred in the dry bulk segment. The liquid bulk segment saw a decline of 1.5%. Container throughput showed growth of 3.1% in TEU, reaching 14.2 million TEU. In terms of tonnage, container throughput decreased by 0.2%.
In the second half of the year, signs of recovery were visible in all segments. Concerns about the lagging investment in industry by the business community remain high. Over the past twelve months, a number of chemical companies announced plans to close their factories in Rotterdam, and investments in new and ongoing projects have been halted, primarily in renewable fuels. The measures taken by the government in 2025 are positive, but insufficient to level the playing field in the Netherlands with that in Europe. Additionally, competition from countries such as China remains evident. The Port Authority’s financial results remained stable. The Port Authority’s investments amounted to €291.4 million.
The throughput of dry bulk fell by 6.5% in 2025. The throughput of iron ore and scrap decreased by 11.5%. Iron ore volumes in particular fell sharply as the competitive position of the European steel industry remains under pressure from high energy and CO? prices and cheap imports. Coal throughput fell by 8.7% to 17.3 million tonnes. This decline can be attributed to a sharp drop in demand for coking coal due to the weak position of European steel production. The transit of energy coal increased in the first half of the year due to too little wind and high electricity demand. Coal-fired power stations in the Netherlands and Germany consequently operated for longer hours. In the second half of the year, less coal was used for electricity generation, due to higher yields from renewable energy sources and falling gas prices. The throughput of agribulk increased by 6.3%. Volumes were particularly strong in the first half of 2025. This growth is linked to the commissioning of a new dry bulk terminal in Rotterdam. The throughput of other dry bulk fell slightly by 1.6% to 12 million tonnes. Industrial production was under pressure, particularly in the first half of the year, leading to a decline in demand for raw materials. There was a slight upturn in the second half of the year.
The throughput of liquid bulk showed a slight decrease of 1.5%. LNG throughput increased by 15.1% to 13.0 million tonnes. The main reason was that gas reserves in Europe needed to be replenished more than in 2024. The throughput of other liquid bulk decreased by 1.1 million tonnes to 34.3 million tonnes (-3.1%).
Container throughput increased by 3.1% in TEU to 14.2 million TEU. RoRo throughput increased by 0.9% to 25.6 million tons. Other breakbulk increased by 4.6% to 6.1 million tons. The increase in throughput is due to higher throughput of steel products, the delivery of offshore wind foundations, steel pipes for the Porthos project and an increase in aluminium, which is being sold more to companies in Europe due to import tariffs in the United States.
Boudewijn Siemons, CEO of Port of Rotterdam Authority sais, “We look back on a challenging year, in which chemical and logistics companies in our port were under considerable pressure and European industry was affected by increasing global competition. All this took place against a backdrop of further escalating geopolitical tensions. It is precisely under such circumstances that a well-functioning port remains essential to the prosperity, economic development and strategic relevance of the Netherlands and Europe. A continued focus on resilience, agility and intensive cooperation at national and European level is crucial in this regard – both for the supply chain and for industry.”
Latest News
Hamburg and Estonia deepen strategic port cooperation
(Posted on 29/05/26)Hamburg’s Senator for Economic Affairs, Dr Melanie Leonhard, has welcomed Estonia’s Minister... Read more
Associated British Ports appoints new Group Head of Property
(Posted on 29/05/26)Associated British Ports (ABP), the UK’s largest port operator and one of the UK’s biggest... Read more
Associated British Ports appoints new Group Head of Property
(Posted on 29/05/26)Associated British Ports (ABP), the UK’s largest port operator and one of the UK’s biggest... Read more
King and Minister open Rotterdam section of Netherlands hydrogen network
(Posted on 25/05/26)King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands has symbolically activated the first section of the national... Read more
Collaboration to explore alternative export hub on UAE East Coast
(Posted on 22/05/26)Abu Dhabi based AD Ports Group, a leading global enabler of integrated trade, industry and logistics... Read more
Hamilton welcomes new $135-million Sucro Can sugar refinery
(Posted on 14/05/26)Sucro Can Canada and HOPA Ports marked the official opening of Sucro Can’s new sugar refinery,... Read more
New Liebherr MHC enhances Belfast Harbour’s bulk handling capabilities
(Posted on 13/05/26)Belfast Harbour has made its latest investment in the development of the port with the arrival of a... Read more
Riga and AD Ports MoU marks new phase of cooperation
(Posted on 11/05/26)A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed in Riga between Abu Dhabi-based, publicly traded global... Read more
International conference “all about ports” launches in Hamburg
(Posted on 11/05/26)As an international conference accompanied by an exhibition, all about ports will address key future... Read more
ADMA satellite agreement to enhance efficient routing of minerals and agri products
(Posted on 04/05/26)Abu Dhabi Maritime Academy (ADMA), the Middle East region’s leading academic institution for maritime... Read more
