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Despite the current economic slump the Port of Amsterdam managed to grow by 7 percent in the first three months of this year. The growth mainly results from increasing transshipment of energy and related products.

Total transshipment at the Port of Amsterdam increased from 18 million to 19.3 million tonnes, a rise of 7 percent. Supply increased by 4.5 percent whilst transport increased by a comfortable 10 percent.

Liquid bulk transshipment (all liquid materials) increased by more than 30 percent to 9.7 million tonnes. The rise was said to be mainly the result of a rise in the transshipment of oil products by more than 31 percent to 9 million tons. The strong increase was as a consequence of investments made in 2008, the port said.

Total dry bulk transshipment declined in the first three months of this year by 7.1 percent down to 8.3 million tonnes. Meanwhile, the transshipment of agricultural products decreased by 15.8 percent to 1.9 million tonnes and the transshipment of grains, oil seeds and artificial fertiliser also declined. A better harvest in Europe has meant less imports.

Transshipment of coal, however, increased by 5.5 percent to 4.4 million tons. The rise has reportedly been the result of continuous demand for energy coal from the German market.

Meanwhile, container transhipment fell by 28 percent to 0.7 million tonnes. Expressed in TEU (twenty foot equivalent units) the decline amounted to -17.5% (to 82723 TEU). This was said to be due to reduced exports from Asia.

For the entire year the Port of Amsterdam expects to achieve the same volume as in 2008. It remains to be seen how long the rise in the transshipment of energy-related products will hold out, however.