Over the first six months of 2024, the companies in North Sea Port recorded a volume of 33.4 million t of seaborne cargo transshipment. This is the same as in the equivalent period in 2023. Transshipment via inland navigation increased.
Looking at the different commodities handled, there are rises in ‘recession-sensitive’ products such as construction materials, petroleum products, and chemical products.
Increase in liquid bulk
Broken down by cargo types, the transhipment of liquid bulk goods (7.5 million t) grew by 5%, with increases in chemical products and fertilizers.
The transshipment of general cargo (break bulk, 5.2 million t) rose by 4.1%, primarily thanks to increased volumes of cellulose. Wheeled cargo throughput (ro-ro, 1.9 million t) remained steady. Dry bulk goods fell by 2% to 18 million t. Transshipment volumes dropped in categories including oil seeds and iron ore. However, there were also increases in this segment, in particular in fertilizers and raw minerals.
UK no. 1, Russia falls further
As a result of EU sanctions, trade with Russia fell by a further 17% during the first six months of 2024. Russia is now North Sea Port’s tenth biggest trading partner, whereas in 2022 it still held top spot. The UK is currently the port’s most important trading partner, followed by the US and Sweden.
Inland navigation increases
Cargo transshipment via inland navigation rose by 2.6% over the first six months of 2024 to 32.2 million t. Throughput in liquid bulk goods increased, while the volume of dry bulk goods handled remained static.
The future
For Western European countries, growth is looking relatively limited for 2024 and the port cautiously predicts a slight growth of 2% over 2024.