In the first quarter of 2011, Ghent port recorded an overall cargo traffic of 12.6 million tonnes. In this way, port of Ghent holds the same steady course as in 2010.
With a total transhipment by seagoing and inland navigation of 12.6 million tonnes, Ghent did 1.6 million tonnes better than during the first quarter of last year and recorded a 14.4% increase. Seaborne cargo traffic reached a total of 7.1 million tonnes, which is an 18.7% growth. Inland navigation registered 5.5 million tonnes of cargo transhipment and goes up 9.4%. This way, Ghent continues with the same fervour as in 2010.
Cargo by seagoing and inland navigation
Seaborne cargo traffic amounted to 7.1 million tonnes for the first quarter, an increase by 1.1 million tonnes as against 2010 (+18.7%). Especially cereals, petroleum products, sand and salt are doing well.
Inland navigation generated 5.5 million tonnes of traffic or 476,000 tonnes more than in 2010 (9.4%). Here, mainly cereals, solid mineral fuels, iron ore and sand are among the growing categories.
Dry bulk rose by over 22%, especially by seagoing navigation. Liquid bulk improves by more than 6%.
Trends during the period from before the economic crisis till now
Seaborne supplies of metallurgical products, crude minerals and building materials (activities at the Kluizendok, among them are salt and sand) are on a higher level than in the period before the economic crisis. Supplies of solid fuels are again on the same level. For agribulk, ores and metal residues, fertilizers and chemicals, this is not the case yet. Transhipment of rolling stock (ro/ro) and containers is steadily working on a revival.
As for conveyance by seagoing navigation, rolling stock is recording a very strong increase. Conveyance of ores and metal residues (mainly scrap), foodstuffs and solid mineral fuels (among them coal) has been constantly on the up these past few years, which is continued now as well. For agricultural products and products of the metal industry (sheet steel) a revival is registered. Chemicals are still awaiting a catch-up effort.
Port Company is pleased
Ghent Port Company is pleased with this overall cargo traffic for the first quarter that links up with the 2010 level. Moreover, it can be determined that a number of sectors are picking up. Besides, quite recently at the Job Fair in the port, over 1,000 vacancies were offered. These are all signs that port of Ghent is doing well indeed.