14 May, the port of Rotterdam launched its new campaign Rotterdam loves breakbulk for cargo such as steel, paper, project cargo and non-ferrous metals. This took place during the leading trade fair 'Breakbulk Europe' in Antwerp. The town on the Scheldt, as European market leader in breakbulk, is 'the lion's den'. And that makes it the ideal place for the Rotterdam companies, following the start of the campaign during the day in the exhibition building, to entertain extra lavishly in the evening on the Grote Markt. 

Rotterdam loves breakbulk because handling breakbulk involves more than just quantities or standard procedures. Whether it is steel, non-ferrous metals, paper or project cargo, every ship's cargo requires precision, effort and cooperation. That makes breakbulk very demanding and interesting, and this requires efficiency and a service which is that much better. Consider 24/7 accessibility, the best hinterland connections, the most modern (magnet) cranes, an all-weather terminal, the Port Navigator and Europe's largest fleet of floating cranes which can lift up to 1,800 tonnes. The port of Rotterdam thus offers a total range of services which can be modified at any moment to the needs of the customer and to new developments. The goal and the result are the transport of freight from and to Europe in the fastest, most efficient and safest way possible.
 
Stimulating
Breakbulk business manager Melvin Hage of the Port of Rotterdam Authority: "Antwerp is good, but Rotterdam can do it better. The quality of our equipment, the people, the port, the hinterland connections, it's all better and the port of Rotterdam is often less expensive. Many customers in our sector make traditional choices, however, and that is why we have to stimulate interest to create some movement. This went the right way in the first quarter, when our throughput increased by 9%, while that of Antwerp dropped by 9%. As far as we're concerned, we will continue on the same line."