The EUROSTAT publication statistics in focus (SIF) "maritime transport of goods and passengers 1997-2008" is available under http://www.ec.europa.eu/eurostat

This year’s title of the SIF is "General economic crisis hits European port activity"

It will be noted that the data cover 2008, not yet 2009, due to delays in the input to EUROSTAT by Member states statistical offices. The data will still be of interest and useful for reference. 

·       In 2008, the total weight of goods handled in EU-27 maritime ports is estimated at 3.9 billion tonnes. Of these, nearly two thirds were goods unloaded.

·       At 562 million tonnes, the United Kingdom had the highest share (14%) of goods handled in EU-27ports,

·       In 2008, liquid bulk goods (which include petroleum products) was the largest type of cargo handled in tonnage terms, accounting for 40% of the total cargo handled in EU-27 ports, followed by dry bulk (25%) and containers (18%).

·       Rotterdam, Antwerp and Hamburg – all located on the North Sea coast - maintained their positions as the three largest EU ports

·       In 2008, more than 60% of EU-27 seaborne goods transport concerned an extra-EU-27 partner port. International intra-EU-27 transport represented 25% and national transport 10%.

·       The number of passengers who passed through EU-27 ports in 2008 is estimated at 413 million (0.3% down compared with 2007).