The 0.9% increase in loading capacity at the Port of Rotterdam in the first nine months of 2026 reflects the port's ability to adapt to changing market conditions. According to recent reports, the loading capacity at this port has reached 323.2 million tons. This increase is primarily due to the growth in coal loading, other dry cargoes, crude oil, and mineral petroleum products.
Analysis of Dry Cargoes
Dry products experienced a 2.1% increase in the first nine months of 2026. However, iron ore and scrap loading decreased by 5.9% and 6%, respectively, despite a 6% increase in steel production in Germany. Supply chain disruptions due to low water levels in European rivers led to increased transportation costs and limitations in raw material supply. As a result, steel producers relied more on their existing inventories, and scrap exports through Rotterdam decreased.
In contrast, coal loading increased by 15.3%. This growth is primarily due to the improvement in coking coal loading for steel production in Europe, which has recovered from the very low levels of 2025. Additionally, increased demand for thermal coal has been observed due to relatively high gas prices resulting from geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
Developments in Liquid Cargoes
Liquid loading also increased by 3.1% in the first nine months of 2026. Crude oil loading rose by 2.1%, as European refineries began importing and processing more crude oil following the reduction of petroleum product imports from the Middle East after the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. This not only led to an increase in crude oil loading but also an 11.1% increase in petroleum product loading. Exports of petroleum products, in particular, saw a growth of 31.9%, while imports decreased by 6.9%.
LNG loading remained relatively stable, with a slight decrease of 0.2%. Loading of other liquids also decreased by 3.8%. In this sector, imports of biofuels and raw materials for biofuel production actually increased. Following the cessation of two counting processes in the Netherlands and Germany, suppliers were required to deliver larger physical volumes of biofuels to the market, leading to increased demand for both biofuels and raw materials.
Read more: 7% Decrease in Gas Demand in the European Union Due to Low Storage · Record Crude Oil Production in the U.S. and Diesel Crisis
