Stable recovery at the largest port in the Nordic region

The recovery from the downturn in freight volumes in 2009 is continuing. During the first half of the year an increase was reported in both containers and ro/ro units. The largest increase – almost 70 per cent - was noted in the car segment.

In the spring the Swedish economy showed signs of recovery and this was reflected clearly in the Port of Gothenburg mid-year figures. 

“As predicted, the positive growth noted during the first four months of the year is holding and the mid-year results continue to reveal a rise in freight volumes for the port," states Magnus Kårestedt, chief executive of the Port of Gothenburg Port Authority.

The largest increase is in the car segment, up almost 70 per cent on the same period in 2009. During the first six months almost 116,000 vehicles were handled at the Port of Gothenburg.

Magnus Kårestedt continues: "If growth were to continue at the same rate the full-year volumes for 2009 will already be achieved during the third quarter."

Container flows have also increased. More than 443,500 TEUs were handled during the first six months, which is a rise of 12 per cent on the first half of 2009. The increase also means that the good mid-year volumes for 2008 have been exceeded.

At present approximately half of the containers passing through the Port of Gothenburg are moved by rail. Rail volumes for the first six months totalled almost 177,000 TEUs.

The handling of rolling goods (ro/ro units) is increasing in percentage terms at almost the same high rate as containers. During the first half of the year more than 276,000 ro/ro units were handled, up 10 per cent on the same period last year. In the ro/ro segment the downturn in the economy has had a more profound impact and, despite the turnaround, volumes are still below the 2008 figures.

The Port of Gothenburg is the most important oil harbour in the Nordic region with an annual turnover of approximately 22 million tonnes of crude oil, oil products and chemicals. During the first six months, more than 11 million tonnes of oil were handled at the port, which is on a par with the first half of 2009.

For further information, please contact Eva Jonasson, Media Relations Officer, Port of Gothenburg, tel. +46 31 731 22 45.