The Port of Rotterdam Authority has reported on a solid set of financial results for 2010, with net income coming in at €154m, an increase of €10m on the previous year, excluding the one-off proceeds of a sale in 2009.
According to the Port Authority, the increase in results is attributed in part to the strong recovery in goods throughput during 2010, which climbed by 11 per cent year-on-year.
'We are extremely satisfied with these figures,' said Port Authority CEO Hans Smits. 'They mean that we, as the Port Authority, are able to implement our extensive investment programme. That is very important for the future of the mainport.'
The two main sources of income for the Port through 2010 were the sea harbour dues paid by vessels, which jumped €14m to a total of €288m despite the crisis discount of 7 per cent which was deducted from tariffs, as well as revenue from leasing land.
In total, operating income grew 6.2 per cent to €551m, €32m more than in 2009, while operating costs remained virtually equal to those recorded in 2009, the Port Authority noted.
'The financial position of the port is developing favourably,' the Port Authority said in a statement. 'A solid financial position is important if the Port Authority is to achieve its big investment ambitions.
'The Port Authority is optimistic about developments in 2011 and expects further growth in throughput of 2 per cent to 3 per cent. The net results for 2011 are expected to grow, due to increasing revenue and unchanged expenses.'
