Reuters reported that the port of Rotterdam expects growth of 4% to 5% in shipping container volumes passing through the terminal, reflecting growth in world trade and a rise in its market share.

Mr Hans Smits told Reuters that heavy flooding in northeast Australia had not hit cargo volumes at Rotterdam port, Europe's biggest, and was not expected to have any impact.

He said that while the flooding could lead to higher commodity prices, it would not affect Rotterdam's business because Europe's steel industry does not depend on Australian imports of iron ore and coal.

(Sourced from www.reuters.com)