In addition, 750,000 tonnes (-150,000 tonnes) ETBE was handled. The figures will be presented tomorrow during the “World Biofuels Markets”, one of the largest and most extensive congresses for bio fuels, from 13 to 15 March in the Rotterdam WTC. The Port of Rotterdam Authority will also have an information stand there, as Rotterdam is Europe’s most important port for biofuels.
Ethanol (1)
The throughput of ethanol fell 15% from 2 to 1.7 million tonnes. Incoming cargo dropped from 1.2 to 1.1 million tonnes. Almost 30% of the ethanol originates from the United States; more than 300,000 tonnes. This was still 200,000 tonnes in 2010. This is mainly E90, 90% ethanol and 10% petrol which, because of blending, comes under a much more favourable import tariff. The EU has now ended this situation. The second country of origin is France, with a 20% share, followed by the United Kingdom (12%). Imports from Brazil again dropped further to 100,000 tonnes (9%). At the peak in 2008, imports amounted to more than 800,000 tonnes. The Brazilians need their ethanol themselves because lower harvests of sugar cane have reduced production and increased prices. Also noteworthy is the almost entire loss of ethanol imports from Spain since 2010. This was almost certainly brought about by the opening of the Abengoa ethanol factory in Rotterdam.
Outgoing transport dropped from 0.8 to 0.6 million tonnes. The most important destinations continue to be Sweden and the United Kingdom, but these countries imported less via Rotterdam. Sweden, for example, imported more from Spain, Finland and France. The most noteworthy is the export of ethanol to Brazil. The quantity was limited to 25,000 tonnes, but considering Brazil’s status as a production country it is remarkable.
Biodiesel
Following a two-year decline, the throughput of biodiesel increased by almost 13% to 1.8 million tonnes. Incoming cargo increased by 11%, from 0.9 in 2010 to1.0 million tonnes in 2011. In comparison to 2010, Argentina and Indonesia have exchanged places as most important country of origin. The Rotterdam figures are not clear enough about this, but according to Argentinean statistics, the export of biodiesel to the Netherlands fell from 450,000 in 2010 to 150,000 in 2011. The volume from Indonesia doubled from approximately 180,000 tonnes in 2010 to 370,000 tonnes in 2011. This runs parallel to the increase in total exports from Indonesia to the European Union (up to and including October) from more than 400,000 tonnes to 930,000 tonnes.
For outgoing cargo Germany and the United Kingdom changed positions. In 2011, export to Germany via Hamburg was more than two-and-a half times higher than in 2010, at more than 200,000 tonnes. Exports to the United Kingdom more than halved.
ETBE (2)
The throughput of ETBE dropped from 900,000 tonnes in 2010 to 750,000 in 2011. There was a considerable reduction, particularly in outbound: 40% from 650,000 to 400,000 tonnes. A real reason is not known, but possibly the Rotterdam-produced ETBE is sold more in the German hinterland instead of overseas. Brazil is the most important country of origin.
Transit trade and production
The combination of worldwide imports, European re-exports and considerable own production (end 2011 approx. 2.5 million tonnes capacity) in the port area gives rise to a large, flexible market. On this market, the buyers, such as the big oil companies which have to blend in biofuel, can easily combine long-term basic contracts with ´spot contracts´. The Port Authority therefore expects to see a further increase in the intra-European transport of biofuels.