Total throughput in the port of Rotterdam rose by 0.9 per cent in the first nine months of 2026 compared to the same period last year. This brought total throughput to 323.2 million tonnes. The rise in throughput was primarily the result of increased throughput of coal, other dry bulk, crude oil and mineral oil products.
There was a fall in the throughput of iron ore and scrap, agribulk, LNG, other liquid bulk, containers (in tonnage) and breakbulk.
Boudewijn Siemons, CEO of Port of Rotterdam Authority: ‘The throughput figures show that the Port of Rotterdam is continually adapting itself to changing circumstances. Although low water levels, shifting energy flows and pressure on European industry have impacted various markets, we are seeing growth in major freight flows to and from the European hinterland. At the same time, we are noticing how important strong hinterland connections are for Europe’s security of supply and competitiveness. For this reason, it is important that we continue to invest in future-proof road, waterway and rail networks. Reliable infrastructure is the basis for economic growth and a resilient supply chain.’
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Much more coal
Dry bulk throughput rose by 2.1 per cent in the first nine months of 2026. Coal throughput increased by 15.3 per cent, driven by recovering demand from the steel industry, higher gas prices and additional electricity production at Dutch coal-fired power plants, some of which was exported because of maintenance works in neighbouring countries. Other dry bulk grew by fifteen per cent, supported by increased demand for construction materials as investment in housing, energy infrastructure and railways picked up in the Netherlands and Germany.
In contrast, iron ore and scrap throughput fell by 5.9 per cent, despite a six per cent rise in German steel production. Low water levels on European rivers disrupted supply chains, increased transport costs and restricted raw material supplies. As a result, steel manufacturers relied more heavily on existing stocks, while less scrap was available for export via Rotterdam. Agribulk throughput declined by 11.4 per cent as demand for imports fell following stockpiling in 2025.
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More oil, LNG stable, chemical industry struggles
Liquid bulk throughput rose by 3.1 per cent in the first nine months of 2026. Crude oil throughput increased by 2.1 per cent, as European refineries imported and processed more crude oil following the loss of oil product imports from the Middle East due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Oil product throughput grew by 11.1 per cent, with exports up 31.9 per cent and imports down 6.9 per cent. LNG throughput remained stable, declining by 0.2 per cent.
Other liquid bulk throughput fell by 3.8 per cent. Although imports of biofuels and feedstocks increased following the end of double-counting in the Netherlands and Germany, this growth did not offset the decline in chemical products. The chemical industry continued to face difficult market conditions, with production falling in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany compared with the same period in 2025.
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Containers and breakbulk
Container throughput remained broadly stable in the first nine months of 2026, rising by 0.1 per cent in TEU but falling by 2.2 per cent in tonnes. Hinterland volumes grew by 7.2 per cent, driven mainly by an 8.9 per cent increase in full container imports. Full container exports rose by one per cent. As imports outpaced exports, empty container movements continued to increase. Transhipment throughput fell by twenty per cent, as capacity constraints at Rotterdam’s deep-sea terminals diverted cargo to other ports, freeing up capacity for hinterland traffic.
Breakbulk throughput declined by 1.4 per cent. RoRo volumes edged up by 0.7 per cent, while other breakbulk fell by 10.2 per cent, reflecting prolonged stagnation in European manufacturing, particularly the machinery and automotive industries.
Picture: Botlek area in the Port of Rotterdam (photo Martens Multimedia).
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