Press release -
Corona pandemic - Virtually no impact on freight volumes at Sweden’s largest port
The Port of Gothenburg, in line with the rest of Sweden, has remained open despite the coronavirus pandemic, and freight volumes have remained high through the first quarter of the year. This is revealed in the Port of Gothenburg’s new freight volume report.
“We have focused firmly on keeping the port open and we have managed to do so successfully. This has always been our strategy. Sweden has remained open and productive during the pandemic, and coronavirus has not had any tangible impact on Q1 volumes,” said Elvir Dzanic, Gothenburg Port Authority chief executive.
The port of Gothenburg is Sweden's largest port by far, which also means that the port's volumes give a firm indication on how trade with the outside world works for the entire Swedish business community. Sweden is highly dependent on the rest of the world and despite trade volumes remaining firm during the first quarter, a slowdown is expected during the second quarter as a result of the situation globally.
“The Port of Gothenburg is a robust freight hub and together with our partners we are standing strong, with an unchanged offer and ability to deliver. This is the kind of security and reassurance that Swedish companies need,” said Elvir Dzanic.
Containers
In the container sector, volumes increased by eight per cent on the export side and even reached 10 per cent in March – one of the highest monthly figures in recent years. On the import side, a downturn has been noted as a result of a fall in imports from China. This has been compensated for in part by a rise in the import of empty containers needed for the country’s export companies.
Energy products
Handling of energy products increased by 13 per cent to 5.7 million tonnes for January-March. The oil market is extremely volatile with a dramatic fall in oil prices and a substantial upturn in demand for storage. Whilst there was no increase in the demand for storage through to March, although this is expected to change in the near future.
Vehicles and ro-ro
The Port of Gothenburg is the largest vehicle handling port in Sweden with the Volvo companies as its biggest customer, both for exports and imports. Halted production at the end of the quarter has not been manifested to any significant extent in the number of vehicles shipped.
The ro-ro segment has seen a decline from the high levels experienced in recent years, before the Corona pandemic. This trend continued into the first quarter with volumes down six per cent.
“We have managed to keep looking ahead”
With core operations continuing as normal, and with the generally low levels of absenteeism due to illness continuing, a certain sense of calm has been maintained among the workforce during the pandemic.
“We have managed to keep looking ahead, and we are working strenuously on our port development projects. We will continue to observe all the precautionary measures and monitor the situation closely, although there will come a point when coronavirus is behind us and we need to be prepared when that time comes as well,” said Elvir Dzanic.
Port of Gothenburg freight volumes, first quarter 2020
| Volumes | Jan-March 2020 | Jan-March 2019 | Change % Jan-March |
| Containers, TEU | 203 000 | 188 000 | 8% |
| Rail, TEU | 119 000 | 115 000 | 3% |
| Ro-ro units | 138 000 | 147 000 | -6% |
| New vehicles | 67 000 | 67 000 | -1% |
| Energiprod. M.Tonnes | 5,7 | 5,1 | 13% |
This is an abridged press release, for more details, go to: www.mynewsdesk.com/goteborgs_hamn
Topics
Fact file: Port of Gothenburg
The Port of Gothenburg is the largest port in the Nordic region. 30 per cent of Swedish foreign trade passes through the Port of Gothenburg as well as half of all container traffic.
The Port of Gothenburg is the only port in Sweden with the capacity to receive the world's largest container vessels and has the broadest range of shipping routes within and outside Europe. The 25 rail shuttles that depart each day mean that companies throughout Sweden and Norway have a direct, environmentally smart link to the largest port in the Nordic region. The Port of Gothenburg has terminals for oil, cars, ro-ro, containers and passengers.
