One million tons less throughput at the overseas port of Rostock

General cargo, cars, grain - millions of tons of goods are unloaded and loaded in Rostock's overseas port. Added to this is the ferry and cruise business. But the economic downturn has consequences.

Port management - One million tons less throughput at the overseas port of Rostock

In Rostock Overseed Port, a total of 14.8 million metric tons of goods and cargo have passed through the quays in the first six months of this year. This represents a decrease of one million tons compared to the previous year, but still the second best half-year result in the port's over 60-year history, as Rostock Port announced on Friday.

"After strong growth in the last ten years from around 21 to nearly 31 million metric tons in 2023, the Port of Rostock could not avoid the effects of the weak economic situation in the first half of 2024," said the managing director Gernot Tesch. Additionally, around 720,000 metric tons were loaded in other Rostock harbor facilities such as the Cargo and Fishery Harbor, as well as the Chemiehafen Yara.

For years, the port has seen a noticeable decline, as Tesch stated. It is also foreseeable that the overall year will be negative: "We will not be able to catch up anymore." A larger decline was observed in coal handling, with a decrease of 250,000 metric tons. However, the import of Ukrainian rapeseed was also significantly down due to the war situation.

The managing director's car was parked in the covered parking lot of the company headquarters located in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.
Despite the decrease in finances, the company decided to invest in upgrading the shipping facilities in Rostock.
The cover of the annual financial report for the Port of Rostock in Germany showcased the impressive statistics of cargo handled in the first half of the year.
The shipping company is planning to expand its operations to new ports in Germany, including the port of Cuxhaven and the city of Bremerhaven, apart from Rostock Harbor.