2009 volumes reduced by 5% at Gothenburg

During the first six months container handling dropped 10%, however, during the second half volumes recovered slightly resulting in a full year total of around 818,000 teus handled by the port, a 5% reduction compared with the corresponding period in 2008.

“We noted an improvement during the second half of the year. It was not a major upturn merely a hint of an increase,” stated Magnus Kårestedt, Port of Gothenburg chief executive.

Despite the recession, the proportion of freight transported by rail at the port continued to increase and during the year broke all previous records, with close to 366,500 teus being handled, a 7% increase on the previous year. Approximately half of all containers to and from the port are now moved by rail.