Port of Ystad Posts Record First Half
(Photo: Port of Ystad)
Port of Ystad volumes for H1 2016 (Source: Port of Ystad)
Port of Ystad, which saw record-breaking volumes in 2015, continues reaching new record numbers in 2016 for traffic to and from Poland and the Danish island of Bornholm.
The number of ton goods, trucks, busses, cars and passengers all showed an increase during the first half of 2016 compared to the same period last year. The biggest reported increase was the number of trucks with an 18.6 percent increase. In total 110,000 trucks passed through the port – a new record for Port of Ystad. The number of ton goods surpassed 1,650,000, also a port record with a 13 percent increase. Even the number of passengers reached record level with a 4 percent increase, with more than 862,000 people passing through the port in the first half of 2016.
“It is rewarding that our and our partners’ joint efforts continue to pay off, and that we see a vigorous market growth both in Poland and Denmark. With a large part of the summer season still ahead of us and with the expectation for a prosperous fall, we hope to be able to reach new records the second half of 2016 as well, thus retaining our position as one of the largest ports in Sweden,” said Björn Boström, CEO of Port of Ystad.
The Port of Ystad today holds the position as Sweden’s third largest ferry passenger port, with daily departures to Bornholm and Poland. The increase in passengers can be traced both to the Polish and Danish traffic, while the increase in goods mainly comes from the Polish traffic.
Even though most things look good for Port of Ystad, the number of rail wagons continues to decrease. Despite interest from clients in moving goods from truck to railway, the Swedish tracks lack the capacity needed for freight trains to be able to use them.
“We still strongly believe in a future for the rail traffic. Over the last couple of years, we have invested in refurbishment of our rail ferry berth, at the same time maintaining a dialogue with both ferry operators and railway operators in Sweden and Poland. Still, the government needs to take responsibility for the development of the railway on the Swedish side, for what we are in continued and close dialogue with Swedish politicians” Boström said.
