The Swedish seaport's rail container traffic advanced 12.4% year-on-year to 515k 20'.
On the other hand, fewer ro-ro cargo units and vehicles were handled, down 0.7% yoy to 561k and 6.3% to 238k, respectively.
Gothenburg's passenger traffic, ferry & cruise, was up 84.8% on the 2021 result, totalling 1,414k travellers.
The port also handled more liquid and dry bulk goods: +16.8% yoy to 22.3mt and +46.5 yoy to 375kt.
Elvir Dzanic, CEO of the Gothenburg Port Authority, commented on the result and trends shaping them, "Towards the end of 2022, we started to see a return to normal conditions in the logistics system after the years of pandemic accompanied by bottleneck problems, closures and shortages in both capacity and ships. With a coming recession and reduced global demand for transport activities, we are seeing an increasing global surplus of ships and equipment in many segments, which is affecting prices in the market."
"Having consumed our way through a number of years of restrictions to varying degrees, we're spending the money we have left over - once we've paid our electricity bills and interest - on experiences, travel, restaurant visits and other entertainment. Instead of on new electronics or an extended veranda. The signals from our import customers are clear: the big shopping frenzy is over."
"Consumer goods such as clothing, home electronics and so on are areas where we're seeing falling import volumes in general. We saw clear indications towards the end of 2022, and the initial trend in 2023 suggests a further decline, as product owners in many cases have full warehouses and are seeing lower demand, resulting in reduced transport requirements. We've already seen clear trends in which volumes are falling."
"Swedish manufacturing industry remains healthy - customers indicate stable order books and a continued good volume trend. Swedish exports will remain strong in the future, and companies continue to invest.
The Swedish forestry industry is very strong, with the same indications of increased volumes through 2023. High-quality Swedish wood, paper, cardboard and pulp are domestic products through and through that remain in demand, and the Swedish krona is at a low level."
"Automotive is another segment in which production remains stable. The imbalance that prevailed in production chains meant that supplies of vehicles were unable to meet demand. That issue has now started to ease, which paves the way for increased sales and production. After a tough period, more transport capacity will be needed at a global level."
Dzanic also summed up his port's performance in 2022, "At the Port of Gothenburg, we can look back on a strong year in which we have won market shares in all segments in Sweden, and have strengthened our position in the market compared with competing ports in the EU. Our focus in the future is to continue our work on the transition with undiminished vigour, which will also create value, opportunities and competitive benefits for our customers."