The Port of Rotterdam has reported a 1.7% decrease in cargo throughput for 2025, totaling 428.4 million tonnes. The decline was most pronounced in dry bulk, which saw a 6.5% drop, while liquid bulk experienced a 1.5% fall. In contrast, container throughput demonstrated resilience, growing by 3.1% in TEU to reach 14.2 million TEU, although overall tonnage in this segment decreased by 0.2%. A positive trend of recovery was observed across all cargo segments in the latter half of the year.

CEO Boudewijn Siemons highlighted the significant pressures faced by chemical and logistics companies, attributing them to escalating global competition and heightened geopolitical tensions impacting European industry. This challenging environment has led several chemical firms to announce plans for factory closures in Rotterdam and has resulted in the suspension of investments in new and ongoing renewable fuel projects, underscoring persistent concerns about lagging industrial investment.

The iron ore and scrap segment experienced an 11.5% reduction in throughput, reflecting the ongoing competitive struggles of the European steel industry, which is grappling with high energy and CO₂ prices alongside the influx of cheaper imports. Coal throughput also declined by 8.7%, reaching 17.3 million tonnes.

On the other hand, crude oil throughput saw a 3.4% increase, reaching 101.2 million tonnes, driven by improved refining margins in Northwest Europe. However, mineral oil products decreased by 12.6%. The throughput of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) surged by 15.1% to 13.0 million tonnes, a rise attributed to the European need to replenish gas reserves.

Container import volumes originating from Asia increased by 9.3%, and throughput destined for North America grew by 13.6%. Despite these positive figures, congestion at container quays led to a significant diversion of volume to other ports, resulting in a 15.9% decrease in TEU for this specific aspect of container traffic. The Port Authority's revenues, however, showed a healthy increase of 6.6%, reaching EUR 940.4 million.