The port of Rotterdam in the Netherlands handled some 222m tonnes of cargo in the first half of 2012, a 3.2 per cent increase compared with the year-earlier period, according to a group press release.
Incoming trade reportedly rose by 1 per cent to 155m tonnes, while outgoing trade grew by 8 per cent to 66m tonnes.
Hans Smits, CEO of the Port of Rotterdam Authority, said that the port had got off to a good start with higher than expected growth in throughput and predicted modest growth of around 1 per cent over the year.
He also outlined some of the port's investment plans for the future. 'The business sector will be investing almost €11bn in the port area during the period 2011 up to an including 2015,' he said. 'This is evidence of confidence in the port of Rotterdam, and also positive expectations regarding the economic developments and integration of Europe.'
