Leixões-Rotterdam Ro-Ro Service on Upswing

In 2014, one of Portugal’s major seaports, the Port of Leixões handled 404,650 tonnes of ro-ro cargo, over five times as much as in 2013 (75,171 tonnes). In units, the rise was as pronounced: from 5,600 to 22,910 last year, the port’s figures show.

Virtually all ro-ro cargo is transported to and from the Port of Rotterdam, by Cobelfret Ferries that runs its own terminal in the Botlek area.

Initially, Cobelfret operated a lo-lo service. According to the Leixões port management, it transported almost 200,000 tonnes during its existence until Autum 2013. From that time on, the ro-ro vessel Adeline (2,415 line meters) took over and now sails twice a week.

On the macro economic level, the ro-ro volumes boom takes advantage of, and facilitates, the economic upswing of Portugal after the crisis. This affects both imports and exports, which is reflected in the fact that the service is rather balanced in both directions.

Ro-ro in general in the Port of Rotterdam, realised a good result in 2014: up 8% to 20 million tonnes, the Port of Rotterdam said.

Image: Port of Rotterdam