A detailed analysis of the data has confirmed the initial good cargo handling results in the Szczecin-Świnoujście port complex. In June alone, cargo handling increased by 15.8%, and in the first half of the year by 2.1%.
In June of this year, over 286 thousand tons more cargo were handled in the ports of Szczecin and Świnoujście than in June of last year, which represents an increase of 15.8%. This good result includes growth in groups such as: coal by 23.9%, grain by 23.7%, general cargo by 17.4%, oil and petroleum products and gas by 94.2% – this group owes its growth to the handling of two gas carriers at the Świnoujście LNG terminal. Unfortunately, there were also declines: ore -14.7%, other bulk -18.4%, timber -96.6%. In June of this year, 18.5% more containers were handled.
In total, the results for the first half of the year bode well for the rest of the year. Thus, after 6 months of 2016, cargo handling increased by 2.1% compared to the same period of the previous year. General cargo turnover increased by 12.8% and oil by 4.7%. Unfortunately, turnover in commodity groups such as coal -8.9%, ore -11.4%, other bulk -13.9%, grain -2.2%, and timber -30.7% remains in the red. Container handling in the first half of this year exceeded 40 thousand TEU, which is a nearly 3 percent increase compared to 2015.
When forecasting cargo handling results for the second half of the year, the company maintains moderate optimism. The market is quite volatile. Nevertheless, statistics should continue to rise, thanks to LNG fuel deliveries in Świnoujście and the launch of the Szczecin Bulk Terminal.