October 30 - The Port of Rotterdam has seen a surge in ro-ro and general cargo throughput during 2014.

In the first three quarters of 2014, general and breakbulk cargo traffic increased by 31 percent year-on-year over the equivalent period of 2013. This growth came in the form of increased steel shipments and a surge in cargoes for the offshore industry, said the Netherlands gateway.

Ro-ro traffic was also up by 8 percent, attributed to the recovery of the British economy, the port added.

Container traffic increased by 4 percent year-on-year despite congestion on the Maasvlakte this summer, which resulted in a number of ships being diverted to Antwerp. The Port of Rotterdam says the tentative economic recovery is the main reason for the traffic boost.

Total cargo throughput at the Port of Rotterdam, including liquid bulk and dry bulk, increased by 0.3 percent during the first three quarters of 2014. Mineral oil products in particular, down 11 percent, significantly hit the gateway's overall throughput tonnage.

www.portofrotterdam.com

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