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Rotterdam rides ro ro boom
[ October 30, 2014 // Chris ]The port of Rotterdam’s reports strong growth in its ro-ro traffic during the first none months of 2014, due almost entirely to the strength of the UK economy. Some15 million tonnes of ro-ro cargo was handled in the port of Rotterdam, 8% more (+1.1 million tonnes) than in the same period of 2013.
The port adds that the difference between cargo leaving Rotterdam (8.1 million tonnes) and incoming ro-ro cargo (6.9 million tonnes) is smaller than one would expect from an import-focused economy like the UK. Sterling’s strength against the Euro is putting a brake on exports. Ro-ro transport from Rotterdam to England focuses very much on foodstuffs: a lot of fresh fruit and vegetables, but also preserved products, frozen produce (meat, dairy products, a lot of potato products), onions and drinks (wine, beer, soft drinks). Consumer durables such as furniture and white goods, hygienic paper products (nappies, toilet paper, tissues, etc.) and car parts are also important.
P&O North Sea Ferries and Stena Line are also benefiting from the increasing exports from Poland to the UK via combined transport. In collaboration with ERS Railways, there are now five rail services a week between Poznan and the Europoort terminal for departures to England.
Tags: Rotterdam