Ports
Rotterdam and Antwerp dominate the top 15 container ports
'Recovering strongly'
The port of Rotterdam will remain the largest container port in Europe in the first nine months of 2024, with a throughput of almost 14,000 million teu. This is a growth of more than 2% compared to the same period in 2023. Antwerp follows shortly after with a growth of 7%, with which the Belgian container port reduces the difference to less than 0.5 million teu. The port of Hamburg continues to lag behind with stable volumes, further widening the gap with Rotterdam to more than 6 million teu.
This is evident from the top 15 container ports of port professor Theo Notteboom, who draws up a list every quarter based on the throughput figures.
European container ports are generally showing a "strong recovery" after the decline in 2023, Notteboom said. In addition, six of the fifteen ports have grown in double figures. Ports in the western Mediterranean and along the Atlantic coast, such as Sines (Portugal), Barcelona and Valencia (Spain), are particularly benefiting from the changes in shipping routes due to the Red Sea crisis. Gioia Tauro (Italy) also recorded a strong increase of just over 10%. Malta Freeport in Marsaxlokk sees modest growth of over 2%.
Bremerhaven (Germany) is doing well in the northern ports. Haropa (France) rises to tenth place, according to Notteboom's previous expectations in September.
Big losses in the east
According to Notteboom, the eastern Mediterranean is still experiencing a 'maritime impasse' due to a sharp drop in traffic through the Suez Canal. For example, the port of Piraeus in Greece has seen a sharp drop in transhipment volumes of almost 10%. According to Notteboom, Tanger Med continues to put pressure on competitor Algeciras.
Expectations 2024
Notteboom expects the ranking of the top 15 to shift further at the end of 2024. Rotterdam and Antwerp remain the largest container ports, with the difference shrinking to less than 0.5 million teu. In addition, according to the port professor, Valencia will take over fourth place in the EU summit from Piraeus.
Source: NT
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