🚢 Rotterdam’s Container Volume Climbs — But Storm Clouds Loom

In the first half of 2025, the Port of Rotterdam reclaimed its status as Europe's busiest container port, processing 7 million TEUs—a 2.7% year-on-year increase. This surge was primarily fueled by rising imports from Asia (+8.4%) and trade growth with North America (+9.1%). However, while container volumes surge, the port’s broader outlook is shadowed by underlying economic and operational challenges.

⚙️ Capacity Pressure and Congestion Mount

Rotterdam experienced "exceptional congestion" during the first half of the year, driven by the arrival of over 100ultra-large vessels with container exchanges exceeding 12,000 TEUs. These massive call sizes have exposed structural inefficiencies in the port's landside operations, leading to longer truck turn around times and terminal delays.

Contributing factors include:

• Carrier alliance reshuffling
• Labor interruptions
• Adverse weather
• Limited coordination in inland logistics

Port authorities are urging industry-wide collaboration, advocating for smarter use of infrastructure—like off-peak road transport and greater use of inland waterways—to boost resilience.

🏭 European Industry’s Decline Raises Red Flags

Despite the container boom, the Port of Rotterdam’s industrial base is showing signs of strain. CEO Boudewijn Siemons pointed to lagging investment, disrupted supply chains, and the offshoring of production as key threats to the port’s competitiveness.

Several major chemical producers have shuttered plants in the region, putting hundreds of jobs at risk. The effects are already evident:

• Liquid bulk throughput dropped 5.3%
• Mineral oil products declined 21.5%
• Dry bulk volumes fell 8.9%, driven by a sharp 21.1% drop in coal and 12.2% decline in iron ore due to reduced steel production in Germany

Only LNG showed growth (+9%), as Europe replenished gas stocks for the summer.

🔎 Key Takeaways for Global Logistics Professionals

• Rotterdam’s position as Europe’s top box port is reaffirmed, but infrastructure is strained under mega-ship traffic.
• Congestion is mainly landside, not at berths, highlighting the need for multimodal efficiency and smart scheduling.
• The weakening of Europe’s industrial core threatens long-term port competitiveness, making diversification and digitalization critical.
• Bulk shipping faces significant declines, affecting storage, supply chain velocity, and intermodal flows.

🌍 Strategic Perspective

For freight forwarders, 3PLs, and supply chain professionals, Rotterdam’s situation reflects a growing global trend: port success is no longer just about volume—it’s about resilience, integration, and industry health. As European production shifts abroad, logistics players must rethink route planning, capacity forecasting, and modal diversification.

Source:https://www.joc.com/article/flagging-european-industry-clouds-rotterdams-rising-container-volume-6047827

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