August 11 - HLPFI has been advised that in the first six months of 2010 the port of Rotterdam has handled 245,000 tonnes of 'other general cargo' at the buoys in the Waalhaven basin.

This figure is in contrast to the total of 111,000 tonnes in 2009.

This 'other general cargo' was almost exclusively project cargo; hulls of inland vessels from China for completion at Dutch yards.

The availability of floating sheer leg cranes with varied lifting capacities helps to make the port of Rotterdam attractive for large and heavy project cargoes. 

Wind turbines handled at Broekman Distriport terminal also added to Rotterdam's stronger figures for project cargos at the end of June and the Port Authority's redevelopment of the RDM-East site for the handling of project should further support efforts in this area.