Rotterdam throughput falls in first nine months of 2025
(Posted on 04/11/25)
Total throughput in the port of Rotterdam fell slightly by 2.6% in the third quarter of 2025 compared to the same period last year. In the first nine months of this year, throughput was 320.2 million tonnes, compared to 328.9 million tonnes in the first nine months of 2024. The decline is mainly due to lower throughput of iron ore and mineral oil products. The throughput of agribulk, crude oil, LNG, and containers increased.
The throughput of dry bulk decreased by 5.6% compared to the same period last year. The main reason for the decline is the sharp drop in the throughput of iron ore and scrap by 12.7% and 2.9 million tonnes. The decline in German steel production continued in the third quarter, under pressure from ongoing economic uncertainty and trade barriers. Electrical steel production also declined, albeit to a lesser extent, resulting in slightly higher scrap exports.
Coal throughput fell by 5.3% compared to 2024, mainly due to reduced demand for coking coal in the steel industry. In contrast, the use of energy coal in the Netherlands and Germany increased due to higher energy demand that could not be fully met by additional solar and wind energy, particularly in the first quarter of 2025. The growth in imports of agribulk goods continued in the third quarter. As a result, throughput in this segment increased by 16.8% compared to last year. This increase is mainly due to the commissioning of a new dry bulk terminal in Rotterdam. Due to lagging industrial production in Germany, demand for raw materials is limited. The throughput of other dry bulk therefore shows a decline of 7.2% in the first nine months of 2025.d.
Boudewijn Siemons, CEO of Port of Rotterdam Authority said, “Although total throughput volumes showed a slight decline in the first nine months of this year, developments in areas such as container throughput and the throughput of renewable fuels confirm the resilience and strategic value of the port of Rotterdam. At the same time, European industry is still under enormous pressure, which underscores the need to continue investing jointly in innovation, sustainability, and logistical efficiency.”
The throughput of liquid bulk declined by 3.4% to 146.4 million tonnes in the third quarter. Throughput in the container segment increased by 3.0% to 10.7 million TEU (the standard unit for containers) in the first nine months. Total breakbulk throughput (Roll-on/Roll-off and other breakbulk) increased by 0.2% to 24.0 million tonnes. RoRo throughput decreased by 0.1%. Volumes to and from the United Kingdom have not yet recovered. The last six months have shown cautious signs of recovery. Other breakbulk rose 1.1% to 4.6 million tonnes. This increase was partly due to the delivery of monopiles (offshore wind foundations), steel pipes for the Porthos project, and an increase in the throughput of steel plates for the offshore 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
