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

Antwerp-Bruges stands firm as geopolitical forces reshape trade flows

In the first half of 2026, Port of Antwerp-Bruges handled 133.9 million tonnes of maritime cargo, a... Read more

PD Ports announce Paul Foreman as new CEO

PD Ports, one of the UK’s major port and logistics businesses, announced today that Paul Foreman... Read more

New San Diego bulk sugar import facility to use only electric trucks

The Port of San Diego Board of Port Commissioners has approved an Option to Lease Agreement and authorised... Read more

Expanded partnership through bulk infrastructure development at Khalifa Port

AD Ports Group, an Abu Dhabi based, leading global enabler of integrated trade, industry and logistics... Read more

Port of Hamburg strengthens partnership with China

The Hamburg Port Authority (HPA) and SPG Qingdao Port Group have signed a Port Partnership Agreement... Read more

Contract awarded for Pilbara Ports Zone 5 Bypass Channel

The Cook Labor Government in Australia has welcomed the award of a dredging contract to Jan De Nul ... Read more

Netherlands Parliamentary rules out Maasvlakte II as location for new nuclear power plants

A parliamentary letter in the Netherlands on the selection of a site for the construction of two new... Read more

SSAB’s port operations in Raahe develop safety together with ESL Shipping

The long-term safety cooperation between ESL Shipping and the port of SSAB’s Raahe site is visible... Read more

Liverpool sees 200% rise in fertiliser imports interest amid ongoing uncertainty

The Port of Liverpool is experiencing a surge in demand from fertiliser importers as continued uncertainty... Read more

PD Ports strengthens Teesport bulk handling with £5.4m crane investment

PD Ports has further strengthened its bulk handling capability at Teesport with the arrival of... Read more