Cargo throughput in the ports of the duisport Group climbed to 49.7 metric tons in 2006. Ships, trains and trucks moved 4.7 million tons more than in 2005. The rate of growth was over 10 percent. It is highly gratifying that barges and the railroads which generate the Port’s income expanded twice as fast as the German average. Container transfers were at a record level of 787,000 TEU, up by 11 percent. Growth in the container segment was mainly supported by train services which advanced by 19 percent to 430,000 TEU. Iron and steel cargo also reported a new record of 5.3 million tons, plus 9 percent. “We work in growth markets, grow at above-average rates and win market shares for all modes of transport,” said Duisburger Hafen AG’s Chief Executive Officer Erich Staake.
In the ports of the duisport Group income-generating ship and railroad cargo transfers increased by 2.0 million tons to 25.7 million tons (up by 8 percent). Ships rose by 5 percent to 15.6 million tons in the world’s largest inland port, while the railroads jumped forward by 14 percent to 10.1 million tons. Barge and train growth was about twice as high as the German average. “We are set up in these two segments to give our customers a genuine choice,” said Staake.
General cargo accounted for more than half of all barge and train shipments. The general cargo sector which comprises iron and steel in addition to containerized cargo increased by 10 percent to 13.1 million tons (2005: 11.9 million tons). The record 5.3 million tons in the iron and steel segment (up by 9 percent) is a particularly remarkable number.
With a share of over 30 percent, containers which ran at 7.8 million tons (2005: 7.1 million tons) have become the largest cargo group in ship and train transfers. Barges moved forward by 2 percent to 357,000 TEU (2005: 350,000 TEU), while trains carried 430,000 tons, up by 19 percent from 362,000 TEU in 2006. Commented Staake: “Barge cargo always depends somewhat on the water level. For this reason we have made major investments into the railroad infrastructure and won numerous train services for Duisburg. Today we are happy to be able to offer shippers and forwarders numerous viable alternatives for hinterland transportation.”
To promote growth in Duisburg, all four container terminals are being extended. Part of this work has been completed. “By 2010 our container terminal space will increase from 125 to 175 acres. With the appropriate cargo handling equipment, we will then be able to throughput 2.0 million TEU equivalent to approx. 3.5 million container moves using sea port counting methods,” announced Staake.
Progress was also made by bulk cargo such as coal, petroleum products, building material and scrap which added up to 12.6 million tons (up by 7 percent). Imported coal which was weak in 2005 returned to the high level of 5.7 million tons.