This increase is considerably higher than the 1% increase in throughput because a one-off crisis discount on port dues was given in 2010. This crisis discount of 7% was replaced by a so-called recovery reduction of 3%.
A stable, positive development in the Port Authority’s result is important considering the Port Authority’s extensive middle and long-term investment programme. This concerns investments in both the existing port area and Maasvlakte 2.
The Port Authority invested EUR 186 million in the first half year, against EUR 200 million in the first half year in 2010. The expectation is that investments in the second half year will increase substantially and rise to some EUR 520 million in total this year: approximately EUR 150 million in the existing port area and EUR 370 million in Maasvlakte 2. In 2010, the Port Authority invested EUR 445 million. With this the Port Authority is investing in a healthy future for the mainport and in the further strengthening of the Dutch economy.