Dutch inland shipping dry bulk volumes decline 15% in a decade

The Dutch inland shipping sector is undergoing a significant structural shift, with dry bulk transport volumes declining by over 15 percent over the last decade. According to an analysis by ABN AMRO, the volume of dry bulk transported fell from 201.4 million tons to 170.5 million tons.

This decline is primarily driven by the energy transition and reduced European steel production. Coal transport has dropped by approximately 35 percent, while iron ore shipments have decreased by about 27 percent. Construction materials, including sand, gravel, cement, and clay, have also seen a 14 percent decrease over fifteen years, partly due to economic challenges in the German construction sector.

To adapt, the industry is looking toward new commodity flows such as scrap metal, biomass, wind turbine components, and containers. While the transport of semi-finished goods has grown by 31 percent over the last decade, current growth in these areas has not yet fully compensated for the losses in traditional bulk sectors. Additionally, the transition is complicated by infrastructure issues and fluctuating water levels, which frequently force shippers to accept cargo limitations.