Throughput in the port of Rotterdam in 2021 matched the pre-pandemic level of 2019. Almost all goods types were up on last year; one of the sharpest rises was the increase in the throughput number of containers. An increase in revenue and lower costs led to an operating result before interest, depreciation and taxes of € 512.2 million (2020: € 477.5 million). The Port Authority proposes to pay a dividend to the City of Rotterdam and the State of the Netherlands totalling € 122.7 million, € 2.1 million more than for 2020. After years of planning and technical preparations, the energy transition at the port is taking increasing shape. An investment decision was made last year for several projects, with decisions being planned for others in 2022.
Allard Castelein, CEO of the Port of Rotterdam Authority: “In terms of throughput volume, the port is back to its pre-corona level. Companies in the container sector in particular performed excellently, handling a record number of containers despite all the problems this sector faced worldwide last year. We are now investing in the construction of additional terminal capacity on the Maasvlakte to further facilitate the container sector. I am also optimistic in other respects. A range of organisations in the port made considerable progress last year in the area of the energy transition. For example, on the Caland Canal, a shore power facility was installed for seagoing vessels and work began on the construction of a large biofuel plant. We are also expecting investment decisions for several energy-transition projects this year, either by ourselves or other parties. That means the transition is progressing well. Together, the ongoing energy-transition projects of the companies in the Rotterdam port area can account for as much as 35% of Dutch carbon reduction by 2030. Imports of hydrogen for industry in Rotterdam and elsewhere will come on top of that. A green industrial policy is needed to help implement all those projects. Working with government and industry, we can innovate in industry and achieve the climate goals.”
To read the full press release, please click here.