The growth encompassed all categories of goods except solid fuels (such as coal) and minerals and building materials. The highest percentage growth was in the categories agricultural products and food products (potatoes and cellulose did particularly well), ores (iron ore), metals (aluminium) and fertilizers.
Expectations for 2011
The current growth is in line with the global increase in world trade, in which building materials are lagging behind due to the still disappointing development in the construction industry. The increase in maritime transshipment is also a consequence of the investments made in recent years in, for example, the construction of the Scaldiahaven. Here, large quantities of cellulose from South America are currently being handled. If throughput figures continue to rise at the same rate as in past months, the forecast throughput surplus of 6% seems very realistic. This would mean that Zeeland Seaports was heading towards an absolute throughput record.