Throughput in the port of Rotterdam decreased by 4.1% in the first half of 2025 at 211 million tons, Europe’s biggest port announced.
The largest decline was in dry bulk (-8.9%) and liquid bulk (-5.3%) segments. Container throughput showed growth of 2.7% in TEUs. In terms of tonnage, the container segment showed a decline of 1.0%.
The lack of investment in the industry by the market is a cause for concern for the Port Authority. Although the government has taken positive steps recently to bring the playing field for Dutch industry more in line with that of neighboring countries, additional measures are necessary. The announced closure of a number of chemical companies, and with it the loss of hundreds of jobs in the first half of 2025, confirms these concerns. The Port Authority’s financial results and investments show stable development.
Boudewijn Siemons, CEO of Port of Rotterdam Authority stated: “In recent months, we as a port have been confronted with economic uncertainties, lagging investments, and disruptions in supply chains. In these turbulent times, as a port, we must ensure that the security of supply of energy, food, and other essential materials in Europe remains guaranteed. It is also very important that industry in the port remains competitive so as not to weaken Europe’s strategic autonomy.”
Despite the challenging economic conditions, a large number of projects are underway to create a future-proof port with net zero CO₂ emissions by 2050. The construction of infrastructure is necessary for making society and industry more sustainable. Much progress has been made in this area during the first half of the year, including continuing construction of the Porthos CCS project.
The construction of the land pipeline has been completed and work has now started on the offshore infrastructure. The former gas production platform in the North Sea is being converted for the injection of CO₂ for permanent storage in gas fields under the North Sea. Porthos is expected to be operational in 2026.
Another important part of the energy transition is the installation of shore power. On 31 March, 2025, Cruise Port Shore Power’s shore-power system at the Holland Amerikakade officially entered operation. This means that Cruise Port Shore Power is staying ahead of European regulations, which stipulate that cruise ships in European ports must use shore power by 2030. The shore-power system for cruise ships is a unique sustainability project realized at the interface of city and port. Cruise Port Shore Power expects 75% of cruise ships in Rotterdam to connect to the shore-power system in the first year.
(Photo by Rotterdam Port Authority)