In Q1 2015, throughput in Rotterdam was 7.2% up on the same[ds_preview] period of last year. Dry bulk fell to 21.9mill. t (-5.1%). Ore imports were 6.8% down due to decreasing imports for Germany. Coal fell by 1.1%, agribulk was 12.4% down due to good harvests in Europe and the weak Euro. Liquid bulk increased to 56.5mill. t (+14.7%). 6.9% more crude oil was handled, since refinery margins improve. Mineral oil products increased by 7.6%, LNG by even 138% but only accounts for 1% of liquid bulk. With 3.1mill. TEU (+7.6% ), containers maintained their growth of 2014 (6%), since European economy recovers and transhipment cargo is relocated from other ports. Being more easily accessible for large ships than rival ports, Rotterdam does well from container ships increasing in scale, which translates into a 70 % increase of second calls. Breakbulk was 4.4% up, to 6.4mill.t. RoRo traffic, focused primarily on the UK, grew 10.6% due to the strong British economy and strong GBP. Other general cargo fell by 17.1% compared to 2014.
