January 19 - Last year saw a record cargo throughput at the Rostock ports, helped by increases in the handling of large pipes, cranes and wind energy generators, primarily driven by local production.

Total cargo reached 28.6 million tonnes, an increase of 400,000 tonnes on 2007's total.

Ferry and ro-ro cargo accounted for 59 percent of the total cargo throughput volume in 2008. Sixteen million tonnes of rolling cargo was moved through the seaport, up 400,000 tonnes from 2007.