In the first quarter (January-March) of 2017, 2 per cent more goods passed through the Port of Rotterdam than in the same period last year. The growth in the container sector was 8.8 per cent by volume (TEU) and 10.8 per cent by weight. Of the 11 different commodities, only mineral oil products and other liquid bulk showed a decrease. The total throughput volume increased to 119.3 million tonnes.

Said Mr Allard Castelein, CEO of the Port of Rotterdam Authority: "For containers, this was the best quarter ever, and March was a record month. The Rotterdam container companies have performed strongly in a market experiencing only limited growth. We shouldn't rejoice too soon, but with the new sailing schedules which are favourable to Rotterdam taking effect this month, this looks set to be a good container year for us."

As per a release, the container throughput appears to be significantly more than the market average. Activity at the new terminals on Maasvlakte 2 is improving all the time, and shipping companies have brought back to Rotterdam substantial quantities of transhipment cargo that had been moved elsewhere in late 2015 and early 2016. This is reflected in the sharp increase (+22.4 per cent; 5.9 million tonnes) in the feeder volume.

Rotterdam is thus increasingly becoming a hub for containers. To an extent, the shipping companies also seem to be anticipating the new shipping schedules introduced in April, which are especially favourable to Rotterdam for the important connection to the Far East. It is expected to take another few months before the effect of this is really clear, the release added.