Port of Rotterdam 2014 Profit Dips

The Port of Rotterdam Authority said on Thursday its net profit for 2014 fell 4.9 percent to 215 million euros ($237 million) on higher financing costs.

Europe's largest port has been investing for years in the construction of "Maasvlakte 2," a 1000 hectare extension, at an estimated total cost of 2.9 billion euros.

The port said 2014 sales rose 3.1 percent to 660 million euros, as land lease revenues rose 5 percent to 337.5 million euros.

Revenues from seaport duties were also higher, up 1.2 percent in line with a previously reported 1 percent rise in traffic by weight at the port.

In all, the port received 445 metric tons of goods in 2014 versus 440 metric tons in 2013.

Rotterdam Port is 70 percent owned by the city of Rotterdam and 30 percent owned by the Dutch state.

Reporting by Toby Sterling