Port of Amsterdam marks record year

The Dutch seaports in the North Sea Canal Area, which include the ports of Amsterdam, IJmuiden, Beverwijk and Zaanstad, realised record transhipment of more than 97.4 million tonnes in 2014
according to the provisional figures. This represents an increase of 1.7% compared to 2013 when transhipment stood at more than 95.8 million tonnes. Total transhipment in the port of Amsterdam amounted to 79.7 million tonnes in 2014. This is an increase of 1.4% compared to 2013 (78.5 million tonnes), marking a new record for the port.

The transhipment of liquid bulk cargo rose by more than 2% to 42 million tonnes (2013: 41.1 million tonnes). The transhipment of dry bulk cargo increased by approximately 1% to 34.4 million tonnes (2013: 33.7 million). Container and mixed cargo transhipment decreased by 11% to 3.3 million tonnes, with the transhipment of automobiles, Ro/Ro and other mixed cargo falling by 13% and the transhipment of container cargo decreasing by 4% (57,000 TEUs). Imports rose by 1% to nearly 52.8 million tonnes in Amsterdam. Exports increased by 2% to 26.9 million tonnes.

The number of sea cruise ship calls decreased to 126 (2013:137). This decrease is attributable to a combination of the Noordersluis lock, which is on the small side for the new generation of cruise ships, and strong winds. The number of river cruise ship calls rose by 14% to 1,685 in 2014. Havenbedrijf Amsterdam NV CEO Dertje Meijer said: ”Over the past year we saw a positive decision be reached with respect to the new large sea lock, finalised our Vision 2030 in collaboration with our stakeholders and obtained a number of environmental permits that can be an impetus for our activities by, for example, providing greater scope for lighterage within the existing environmental limits.

The focus in 2015 will be primarily on the preparations for SAIL Amsterdam 2015, the roll-out of our Vision 2030 and the preparations for the construction of the new large sea lock.”