Total throughput in the port of Rotterdam rose by 0.9% in the first nine months of 2026 compared to the same period last year. This brought total throughput to 323.2 million tonnes. The rise in throughput was primarily the result of increased throughput of coal, other dry bulk, crude oil and mineral oil products. There was a fall in the throughput of iron ore and scrap, agribulk, LNG, other liquid bulk, containers (in tonnage) and breakbulk.
Boudewijn Siemons, CEO of Port of Rotterdam Authority: “The throughput figures show that the port of Rotterdam is continually adapting itself to changing circumstances. Although low water levels, shifting energy flows and pressure on European industry have impacted various markets, we are seeing growth in major freight flows to and from the European hinterland. At the same time, we are noticing how important strong hinterland connections are for Europe’s security of supply and competitiveness. For this reason, it is important that we continue to invest in future-proof road, waterway and rail networks. Reliable infrastructure is the basis for economic growth and a resilient supply chain.”
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Dry bulk
Dry bulk throughput rose by 2.1% in the first nine months of 2026. The throughput of iron ore and scrap decreased by 5.9%, respectively, in spite of a 6% rise in German steel production. Disruptions to supply chains caused by low water levels on European rivers led to higher transport costs and restricted the supply of raw materials. As a result, steel manufacturers relied more heavily on existing stocks, while less scrap was available for export via Rotterdam. Coal throughput increased by 15.3%. This growth is mainly attributable to a recovery in the throughput of coking coal intended for European steel production, from the exceptionally low level recorded in 2025. In addition, the demand for thermal coal rose due to relatively high gas prices resulting from geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. In addition, extra electricity production at Dutch coal-fired power plants, some of which was exported because of maintenance works in neighbouring countries, contributed to this growth. The throughput of agribulk fell by 11.4%. Following stockpiling of agribulk cargo in 2025, demand for imports fell in the first nine months of this year. The throughput of other dry bulk grew by 15%, driven by higher demand for raw materials for construction projects. Increasing investments in housebuilding, energy infrastructure and railways in the Netherlands and Germany are evidence of a gradual recovery of the construction sector.
Liquid bulk
Liquid bulk throughput rose by 3.1% in the first nine months of 2026. Crude oil throughput increased by 2.1%. Due to the loss of oil product imports from the Middle East following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, European refineries have begun importing and processing more crude oil. This resulted not only in higher throughput of crude oil but also an increase in the throughput of oil products by 11.1%. Exports of oil products grew particularly strongly – by 31.9% – while imports decreased by 6.9%. The throughput of LNG remained stable, falling slightly by 0.2%. The throughput of other liquid bulk fell by 3.8%. Within this freight flow, the import of biofuels and raw materials for the production of biofuels actually rose. Due to the discontinuation of double-counting in the Netherlands and Germany, suppliers are obliged to put greater physical volumes of biofuels on the market, which has increased the demand for both biofuels and raw materials. However, this growth was unable to compensate for the decline in throughput of chemical products. The chemical industry continues to wrestle with challenging market conditions; production in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany fell in the first nine months of 2026 compared to 2025.
Containers and breakbulk
Container throughput in TEU remained at a similar level to a year earlier, with a slight growth of 0.1% in the first nine months of 2026. Measured in tonnes, throughput fell by 2.2%. Hinterland volume rose by 7.2% in the last nine months. This growth was chiefly the result of an 8.9% increase in the import of full containers. The export of full containers saw a modest growth of 1%, following a period of contraction. Since imports rose more strongly than exports, the number of empty containers transported continued to rise. In contrast, transhipment throughput fell by 20%. Due to long-standing capacity restraints at deep-sea terminals in Rotterdam, more cargo is being handled via other ports, which frees up space for hinterland flows.
The breakbulk segment saw a decline of 1.4%. RoRo volumes grew slightly by 0.7% as a result of a continued weak economic performance in the United Kingdom. The throughput of other breakbulk declined by 10.2%, as a result of the prolonged stagnation of the European manufacturing industry, especially the machine-building and automotive industries.