North Sea transhipments grow in H1 2017

Transhipment in the seaports in the North Sea Canal Area, which includes the ports of Amsterdam, IJmuiden, Beverwijk and Zaanstad, rose by 7.3% to 51.9 million tonnes in the first half of 2017 compared to the same period of 2016.

The Port of Amsterdam is the largest port in the region and saw transhipment rise by 6.9% to 42.2 million tonnes in the first half of 2017 (first half of 2016: 39.5 million tonnes).

Transhipment grew in IJmuiden to 9.1 million tonnes (+7.0%), increased in Beverwijk to 600,000 tonnes (+80%) and decreased in Zaanstad to 95,000 tonnes (-22%).

The increase in Amsterdam in the first half of 2017 is attributable to the transhipment of oil products, coal and construction materials. The transhipment of oil products rose by 7.1% to 23.7 million tonnes compared to 22.1 million tonnes in the first half of 2016. Good market conditions, efficiency improvements in the chain and higher capacity utilisation are the primary causes for the increase in the transhipment of oil products.

Imports in the Port of Amsterdam increased by 8.7% to 26.2 million tonnes in the first half of 2017. Exports rose by 4.1% to 16 million tonnes in the same period. The North Sea Canal Area also saw imports rise to 34.2 million tonnes (+8.8%) and exports increase by 4.7%. The number of ships that called at the North Sea Canal Area decreased slightly (-0.5%).

Port of Amsterdam CEO Koen Overtoom said: “We have had a good first half year. It pleases us that the market players continue to view Amsterdam as their preferred port. In the first half of this year, we have seen an increase in wet and dry bulk and general cargo, which are our main cargo flows. We have also taken a number of major steps forward in the field of sustainable energy through our stake in the Ruigoord wind farm in Afrikahaven. Port of Amsterdam’s diversification strategy has demonstrated good progress by attracting investments in circular industry, large-scale logistics and the manufacturing industry.”

For more information visit www.portofamsterdam.com

15th Aug 2017