Port of Kiel registered minus in cargo handling
Cargo handling at Kiel seaport shows a trend that reflects the international financial crisis. In 2008 the port handled 4.91 million tons of freight, a year-on-year decrease of 7.4 percent. According to Dr. Dirk Claus, Managing Director of the Port of Kiel, the over-proportional decline in load volumes at ferry traffics to Scandinavia, the Baltic countries and Russia are the reason for this negative trend. The volume of this segment totalled to 3.34 million tons (-9.44%). The throughput in combined rail/ship traffic decreased as well. As for the bulk cargo segment export of farm products, coal and oils grew whereas the throughput of construction materials declined. Dirk Claus expects the throughput volumes to rise on long term, thanks to RoRo-activities and container traffic. As for the latter named segment the enterprise recently agreed on contracts upon the handling of box shipments with the BTKI-company. Quelle: Österreichische Verkehrszeitung |