Overview
- The Port of Rotterdam handled 212 million tonnes in the first half of 2026, a 0.4 percent increase reported in the half‑year results published Thursday, July 23, 2026.
- Growth came from energy-related bulk goods rather than containers, with oil and oil products up about 4.7 percent and coal rising roughly 17.8 percent.
- Container activity stagnated as container tonnage fell 2.6 percent to 98.5 million tonnes and transshipment dropped about 20 percent because terminals currently lack capacity.
- The report links higher oil volumes to disruptions and higher prices tied to tensions around the Strait of Hormuz and damage to refineries elsewhere, and the port’s CEO rejected characterizing the uptick as profiting from war.
- To strengthen resilience the port has opened new shore power points, completed a 32 km Maasvlakte–Pernis hydrogen link, applied for a Pre U‑Space drone corridor, and begun cybersecurity cooperation with Ferm Zeehavens while warning that high energy costs and permitting rules keep the chemical sector and long‑term investment climate under pressure.