A total of 377 million tons of goods were handled in 2006 in the Dutch port of Rotterdam, which was a record high, announced the port authority on Tuesday.

The throughput was 1.7 percent higher than in 2005.

Outgoing trade showed more marked growth than incoming, at 4 percent and 1 percent respectively, it said.

General cargo increased by 2.5 percent, while bulk remained almost the same as the previous year. Imports and exports of ores and scrap dropped by 6 percent. Agribulk and crude oil were down by 14 percent and 3 percent respectively.

Throughput of coal, other dry bulk, other liquid bulk, mineral oil products, containers, roll-on/roll-off and other general cargo showed healthy growth.

There was a 4-percent increase in the actual number of containers handled, to 9.6 million 20-foot units.

New records were established in five sectors: mineral oil products, coal, containers, other dry bulk and other liquid bulk.

"Virtually the whole of the port is continuing to operate at full capacity. With the current terminal capabilities, it's possible to approach the maximum growth scenario," said Hans Smits, Port of Rotterdam Authority CEO, in a press release.

He said expansions are "sorely needed" to allow for further growth of throughput in Rotterdam, which was the world's number one by 2002. Rotterdam was later surpassed by Singapore and Shanghai in terms of throughput.

Source: Xinhua