Kiel almost matches 2008 figures

Ostuferhafen was the strongest facility in the port, handling 2.3m tonnes last year, 11% up on the previous year. Containers, primarily for the import of ferro-alloys for the west European steel industry that arrived in Kiel from Kazakhstan via Riga, bulk cargoes and conventional break-bulks destined for Lithuania increased, whilst Scandinavia and Russian ferry traffic declined.

During the year the facility took delivery of a new mobile harbour crane, used for handling containers and conventional cargoes as well as project and heavy load cargo.

“There are good prospects for a future expansion of container business at the Ostuferhafen”, said Dirk Claus, MD of the Port of Kiel. “Kiel’s diverse range of activity almost balanced 2009 cargo handling results and the successful launch of container services has made the port even more versatile than before”.