Port of Rotterdam: Inland Waterway Transport scores in hinterland container traffic

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The total volume of hinterland transport decreased by 12%, waterside transhipments were 3% less than in 2008 (2.3 million TEU). A 25% drop was registered in rail transport, while truck volumes sank by 14%, from 4.5 to 3.8 million TEU.

Inland waterway transport is more flexible
Inland waterway transport was able to be more flexible in its pricing – adapting to the surplus transport capacity, as opposed to rail transport. Rail was, or could not be, quick enough to adapt to the declining volumes caused by the crisis while Inland waterways also benefited from the elimination of restrictions in the handling capacity at the sea terminals.

The road sector was relatively more exposed to the crisis due to its high proportion, around 70%, in intra-European ('short sea') services. This sector as a whole was strongly affected by the economic downturn, even more so in the United Kingdom, Ireland and Spain.

The future shows a strong growth
The future growth of the container handling is expected in the large western terminals. Starting in 2013, new terminals will be operative on the second Maasvlakte. Until the year 2035, the Maasvlakte (1+2) aspires to a modal split of: 45% inland waterway transport, 20% rail transport and 35% road transport. 

More information can be found » here.

Editorial: via donau