The volume of dry bulk handled by the Port remained practically stable compared to the previous year, at 4.4 million tonnes (-0.8%).
Although the amount of some highvolume products such as cement and clinker and cereals and meal remained stable or recorded slight increases, feed and fodder increased a full 50.3% year on year. However, soya bean and potash fell 18.1% and 10.9% respectively, caused mainly by particular circumstances involving the market and operations.
11.4 million tonnes of liquid bulk were handled by the Port's specialised terminals, down 5% year on year. There were great differences among the performance of the main hydrocarbons, with an overall decrease of 2%, while other liquids decreased by 16%. We would point to the 16.4% increase in diesel fuel, standing at 2.7 million tonnes. Nevertheless, this product was unable to generate sufficient synergies with biofuels, which continued to fall, recording a year-on-year decline of 32%.
Traffic in bulk chemicals fell 11% as a result of recent regulatory changes to industrial rules, which are expected to bring about a degree of stabilisation. The situation was also influenced the increase in containerised traffic, making it possible to offer solutions for transporting bulk chemicals without increasing stocks. Thus, there was a 7% increase in operations involving containerised chemicals which was twice the absolute decline in bulks.