The Port of Rotterdam recorded total throughput of 212.0 million tonnes in the first half of 2026, a rise of 0.4% compared with the same period a year earlier, according to Port of Rotterdam Authority’s half-year results published on 23 July.

For the marine fuels sector, the period brought notable developments. The port completed what is described as the first ethanol bunkering of a seagoing vessel at Rotterdam, using an ethanol-methanol fuel mix, which the port authority said strengthens Rotterdam’s position as a bunkering port for renewable fuels.

LNG throughput rose by 1.7% to 6.4 million tonnes in the first half of the year, with the authority attributing the increase in exports partly to greater use of LNG as a marine fuel.

The Strait of Hormuz closure — a consequence of the war in the Persian Gulf — had a material impact on oil and oil products flows through the port. Throughput of oil products increased by 11.5% to 25 million tonnes. Imports of oil products dropped by 9%, while exports rose by 36%. The authority said exports of fuel oil to Singapore and gas oil to Gibraltar and Spain increased during the period. The rise in gas oil exports to Gibraltar and Spain was said to be linked to the introduction of the emission control area (ECA) in the Mediterranean Sea in 2025, under which only bunker fuel with a maximum sulphur content of 0.1% is permitted — driving higher demand for marine gas oil.

The Hormuz closure also contributed to a 1.6% increase in crude oil throughput, as higher refining margins prompted European refineries to import and process more crude oil to compensate for the loss of oil product imports.

Boudewijn Siemons, CEO of the Port of Rotterdam Authority, stated: “The closure of the Strait of Hormuz makes it clear how closely connected global trade and energy flows are. Although direct impact on the operations and throughput in the port of Rotterdam has so far been limited, the higher energy prices and increasing uncertainty have rocked the international market.”

He added: “The port of Rotterdam has proved itself to be resilient and reliable in the face of challenging circumstances. That’s not only crucial for the position of the port but also for the resilience of the Netherlands and Europe.”

Financially, the Port of Rotterdam Authority reported a stable first half. Revenues rose by 3.2% to €477.0 million, driven by indexation of contract revenues and port dues. EBITDA increased by 1.3% to €298.8 million, while net income rose by 0.9% to €144.8 million. The authority invested €126.0 million in the first six months of 2026, approximately 7% less than in the same period the previous year, mainly because more capital was injected into the Porthos carbon capture project in 2025 than in 2026.

Beyond liquid bulk, throughput results were mixed across segments. Dry bulk rose 1.7%, supported by a 17.8% increase in coal throughput — partly attributed to relatively high gas prices stemming from Middle East geopolitical tensions — and an 18.5% rise in other dry bulk, linked to a recovery in Dutch construction activity. Container throughput fell marginally by 0.1% in twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU), or 2.6% in tonnes, while breakbulk declined 1.1%.

Direct container traffic to and from Persian Gulf countries represents approximately 1% of total container volume at Rotterdam. Following the Hormuz closure, the authority said new routes were established fairly quickly via ports outside the Persian Gulf, limiting the negative consequences for Rotterdam.

On energy transition, the authority reported that the first section of the national hydrogen network — a 32-kilometre pipeline between the Maasvlakte and Pernis — was completed and activated during the period. Shore power connections for vessels were also expanded, with installations now available at both Wilhelminakade for cruise ships and at Parkkade in the city.