The seaports in the North Sea Canal Area (NSC) have experienced a decline of 1% in transhipment volume in 2015 for the first time in years.
The year 2015 has recorded a volume of 97 million tonnes as compared to 97.8 million tonnes in 2014.
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NSC is comprised of the ports of Amsterdam, IJmuiden, Beverwijk and Zaanstad, where Port of Amsterdam saw transhipment dip by 1.8% to 78.4 million tonnes (2014: 79.8 million tonnes).
Ijmuiden, however, experienced a rise in transhipment to a figure of 17.9 million tonnes (+2%). Zaanstad and Beverwijk saw transhipment increase to 340,000t (+47%) and 343,000t (+44%) respectively.
Around 1,768 river cruise ships and 134 sea cruise ships had docked in Amsterdam in 2015, which records an increase of eight and 83 compared to 2014.
A total of 44 sea cruise ships called in Ijmuiden, which brings the total at 178 sea cruise ships in the North Sea Canal Area.
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By GlobalDataThe port of Amsterdam also experienced a dip in imports by 4% to 50.8 million tonnes in 2015, while exports grew by 3% to 27.6 million tonnes.
Port of Amsterdam CEO Dertje Meijer attributed the mild climate which decreased the necessity of shipment of coal by the power plants resulting to its subsequent transhipment dip.
He said: "While we expect to return to growth in 2016, as an international port we are dependent upon volatile energy markets and geopolitical developments.
"Prodock will open in 2016 and we will also further shape our ambitions for a circular and bio-based economy."
Image: A ship at the Amsterdam port. Photo: courtesy of Ed Seeder / © Haven Amsterdam 2010.
