Eightfold increase in Russian petroleum shipped to the Netherlands since 2000

A revised version of this article has been published on 9 January 2008.

In recent years, Russia has become one of the most important shipping partners of the Netherlands. In the period 2000-2006, short sea shipping to and from Russia has increased fivefold. This is mainly due to an eightfold increase in the supply of petroleum and petroleum products in this period.

Coastal shipping accounts for largest share in total shipping

In the period 2000-2006, the transfer of goods in Dutch sea ports grew by over 80 million tons. Altogether, more than 505 million tons of goods were loaded and unloaded in Dutch sea ports in 2006. More than half – over 280 million tons – were shipped over relatively short distances. The remainder of goods were shipped to and from trans-Atlantic or Asian ports (‘long-haul shipping’).

Total weight of goods transported by short sea and long-haul shipping

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United Kingdom and Russia dominate shipping

The top 5 in maritime transport to and from Dutch ports is dominated by countries active in short sea shipping. The United Kingdom, Russia and Norway, for example, accounted for 30 percent of total transfer of goods in Dutch sea ports in 2006. Brazil and the United States accounted for over 13 percent of goods.

Main shipping partners of the Netherlands

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Russia main supplier of petroleum by sea

The total volume of goods shipped from the Netherlands to Russia and vice versa has increased nearly fivefold in recent years. This is mainly caused by a huge increase in transport of petroleum and petroleum products: from 4 million tons in 2000 to 35 million tons in 2006. Russia has become the main supplier of petroleum and petroleum products for the Netherlands by sea.

In 2006, nearly one quarter of petroleum and petroleum products shipped to Dutch sea ports came from Russia; more than 17 percent was shipped form Egypt. England and Norway both accounted for 12 percent of maritime transport of petroleum and petroleum products.

Major suppliers of petroleum and petroleum products

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Carina Sonntag-Handels