The Port of Gothenburg has reported an unprecedented fall in freight container volumes for the first six months of the year; a 22% fall in the number of containers shipped is the biggest decrease in the history of the port. The decline was particularly noticeable in June with volumes down by 60%.
The Gothenburg Port Authority Chief Executive attributes the unprecedented fall in container volumes to the ongoing labour dispute, which is now into its second year. He comments:
“The consequences for Swedish trade are immense, as several services to key markets have been withdrawn, including direct services that are vital to both imports and exports. A great deal of freight has been shifted from sea to road, investments are failing to materialise, and jobs have disappeared.”
Other freight categories at the Port of Gothenburg continue to increase. The number of ro-ro units shipped during the first half of the year totalled 291,000 – up 7% on 2016.