Energy Transition Key to Port’s Long-term Prospects
By Simon West
As geopolitical tensions escalate and supply chain woes deepen, ports worldwide find themselves grappling with unprecedented challenges and complexities amid an increasingly volatile global landscape.
The Port of Rotterdam, Breakbulk Europe’s host port for the third consecutive year, is no exception, with breakbulk handling last year falling to 6.5 million tons after a record-high 7.6 million tons in 2022. Speaking to Breakbulk, Hugo du Mez, adviser for strategy and analysis at the Port of Rotterdam Authority, attributed the drop to several factors including Russian sanctions, weak euro zone growth and the return of breakbulk cargo to containers.
“I don’t want to give the impression that all is doom and gloom, but the short-term outlook does not look too positive I’m afraid,” du Mez said. Still, long-term prospects at Europe’s busiest deepwater hub remain strong, with energy transition translating into strong demand for steel and aluminum, non-ferrous metals and heavy-lift project cargo (HLPC) such as generators, turbines and electrolyzers.
So much so, Rotterdam is in the course of streamlining the layout of its terminals in the Waalhaven area of the port, a project designed to mitigate capacity constraints for future breakbulk storage and handling demand.
Last year, metal logistics specialist Metaal Transport embarked on a new nine-hectare terminal expansion, while C. Steinweg-Handelsveem has re-developed a former container terminal into a dedicated 48-hectare breakbulk hub. “We keep on striving for better utilization and more room for the industry,” du Mez said.
And so to Breakbulk Europe 2024, the world’s largest gathering of breakbulk and project cargo professionals that this year will welcome a record 12,000 visitors.
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world!” he said. “I might be biased but since this event moved to Rotterdam it has proven to be a great success.
"As always, one of the major attractions for me is that you get to meet so many people from all kinds of different companies. And everyone you meet is more than happy to tell you all about their business and what they feel is happening in the market. So there is a very positive vibe in those three days.”
The executive said he was especially looking forward to the Breakbulk Boulevard evening networking party on 21 May and a main stage program that will play host to a series of thought-provoking and engaging panel sessions covering hot topics from offshore wind and innovation to energy transition and the role of ports in supply chain efficiency.
“For many participants the networking on the exhibition floor is why they are there, but the diverse conference program and the excellent speakers proved to be one of the big attractions for me personally last year and I am really looking forward to the 2024 edition,” he said.
Regrettably, Du Mez is retiring at the end of the year so Breakbulk Europe 2024 will be his last as an employee of the port. “But who knows, I might still visit again in 2025!”
The Port of Rotterdam is host port for Breakbulk Europe 2024 and will be exhibiting in Hall 2, Stand 2B10.
