The port of Rotterdam has published its 9 months results this week, recording a 10.1% increase in container traffic compared to January-September 2016. In the first 9 months of 2017 the port handled 10.2 mln TEU, or 105.9 mln tonnes. The growth was attributed to the strong increase in the number of full containers, which is reflected in the fact that in tonnes the increase was even higher, 11.7%.

In 3Q 2017, the port saw a 3.1% increase in the container segment compared to 2Q 2017. Rotterdam expects its market share in the Hamburg-Le Havre range to remain 30.9%, which is the highest level since 2001.

The port explains the surge in container volumes by a number of factors. Apart from the steady economic growth in Europe, these include increased productivity and throughput volumes at the Maasvlakte 2 terminals, Rotterdam’s favourable position within the new sailing schedules of the major alliances and the port’s strengthened appeal as a transhipment hub in connection with increased vessel sizes and feeder options to/from other European ports.

Allard Castelein, CEO of the Port of Rotterdam Authority, noted: “Thanks in part to the 10% increase in container throughput volumes, this has proven a fine quarter for our port statistics.”

According to Alphaliner, the container exports from China, including Hong Kong, grew 9% in the first 9 months of 2017, reaching 192 mln TEU. The September volumes alone increased by 11.1%. This is highlighted in the throughput growth of the world’s major ports. In January-September 2017, Shanghai handled 29.9 mln TEU (+8,2%), Singapore – 24.7 mln TEU (+7.6%), Hong Kong – 15.6 mln TEU (+9.1%), Los Angeles and Long Beach jointly handled 12.5 mln TEU (+8.5%).

The total container traffic growth in 2017 is forecasted by Alphaliner at 6%.