Rotterdam Containers Jump 6 Percent to Record High

Europe’s largest forecasts flat business in 2012 as debt crisis dampens demand The Port of Rotterdam boosted container traffic 6 percent in 2011 but Europe’s largest port forecast the eurozone sovereign debt crisis will restrain growth next year before shipping demand recovers in 2012. The box volume growth to 11.9 million 20 foot equivalent units marked a slowdown from the 11 percent increase the Dutch port reported in 2010, when container traffic reached 11.1 million TEUs. Rotterdam boosted overall cargo volume 0.8 percent to a record 433 million metric tons as Europe’s economic woes restrained business in the second half of the year.