Transhipment NSC Ports Down 1%

 

The seaports in the North Sea Canal Area, which includes the ports of Amsterdam, IJmuiden, Beverwijk and Zaanstad, saw transhipment decrease in 2015 for the first time in years. The decrease amounted to 1%, with a total of 97 million tonnes in 2015 compared to 97.8 million tonnes in 2014. Port of Amsterdam is the largest port in the region and saw its transhipment edged down by 1.8% to 78.4 million tonnes (2014: 79.8 million tonnes). The above transhipment figures are tentative. The definitive figures will be published within a few weeks.

Transhipment in IJmuiden rose to 17.9 million tonnes (+2%). Zaanstad and Beverwijk saw transhipment increase to 340,000 tonnes (+47%) and 343,000 tonnes (+44%) respectively.

Decrease in dry bulk cargo

The decrease in Amsterdam has been caused primarily by lower transhipment in dry bulk cargo. The transhipment of coal fell by 11% to 17.3 million tonnes. The transhipment of agribulk also decreased by 6% to 7.4 million tonnes. In contrast, other dry bulk cargo, including ores and fertilizers, rose by 9% to 8 million tonnes.

Other cargo flows remained either approximately the same or increased slightly in 2015. The transhipment of oil products totalled 39.4 million tonnes in 2015, compared to 38.9 million tonnes in 2014 (+1%). Other liquid bulk cargo rose by 11% to 3.4 million tonnes. The transhipment of containers decreased slightly from 633,000 tonnes in 2014 to 615,000 tonnes (=51,634 TEU) in 2015. Ro/Ro, automobiles and other mixed cargo fell by 8% to 2.3 million tonnes in 2015.

Leased out land

Approximately 18.5 hectares of land was leased out to companies in 2015. This trend is expected to continue.

Imports and exports

Imports in Port of Amsterdam decreased by 4% to 50.8 million tonnes in 2015. Exports conversely grew by 3% to 27.6 million tonnes.

Cruise calls

A total of 134 see cruise ships and more than 1,768 river cruise ships called in Amsterdam in 2015. This equals a respective increase of 8 and 83 compared to 2014. A total of 44 see cruise ships called in Ijmuiden. This brings the total at 178 see cruise ships in the North Sea Canal Area.

Port of Amsterdam CEO Dertje Meijer: ‘We had a record level of transhipment in the first six months of 2015. Transhipment in the second six months of 2015 did, however, lag behind the expectations. This relates to the extremely mild winter weather, which meant less coal was needed for power plants.This is not a trend. While we expect to return to growth in 2016, as an international port we are dependent upon volatile energy markets and geopolitical developments. PRODOCK will open in 2016 and we will also further shape our ambitions for a circular and bio-based economy.’