43,000 cargoes heading to Russia and Belarus blocked in the port of Rotterdam

In the largest seaport in Europe in Rotterdam, about 43 thousand transit cargoes were blocked, which were supposed to be delivered to Russia and Belarus. This was announced by the Russian Ambassador to the Netherlands Alexander Shulgin.

“According to available information, as of the end of 2022, about 43,000 transit cargoes with destination Russia/Belarus were blocked in the port of Rotterdam. The Trade Representation of Russia in the Netherlands has organized work to facilitate their delivery to the final destination,” said Mr. Shulgin (quoted from “RIA News”). According to him, in total, assistance was provided in relation to more than a hundred shipments.

Alexander Shulgin clarified that cargo transportation between Russia and the Netherlands is significantly hampered, since direct flights between the countries have been terminated, as well as the entry of trucks with Russian numbers into the EU and the entry of Russian ships into European ports are prohibited.

At the same time, the ambassador notedthat sanctions restrictions did not prevent the development of trade relations between Russia and the Netherlands. According to the data of the Central Bureau of Statistics of the Netherlands, which he cited, trade in January-August 2022 increased by 31.2% and amounted to €19.1 billion. Imports from the Netherlands decreased by 37.6% to €2.5 billion. Russian exports increased by 57.6% and amounted to €16.6 billion.

The Federal Customs Service previously reported that last year the Netherlands was among the three main trading partners of Russia. In 2022, trade with this country decreased by only 0.1%.

To replace the volumes of European cargo carriers that have suspended cooperation with the Russian Federation, Russia has increased trade with China and India. According to the China Customs Administration, the total volume of trade between Russia and China rose by 29.3% in 2022, to a record $190.271 billion. Indian Ambassador to Moscow Pawan Kapoor informedthat in the nine months of last year, the trade turnover between Russia and India reached $35 billion.

Milena Kostereva