The total throughput of Port of Antwerp-Bruges was 139 million tonnes in the first six months of this year, a fall of 5.5% compared to the same period last year. While the global economic situation is causing a drop in demand for container transport, other cargo flows show a mixed picture. In the current unstable economic conditions, the port is holding up well and is also gaining market share in container handling compared to the other ports in the Hamburg – Le Havre range.
Operational challenges and congestion at the container terminals were resolved after two difficult years, with deviated cargo returning. This results in an improvement in the second quarter (-4.6% in TEU) compared to the results after the first quarter of this year (-5.8% in TEU). However, the uncertain economic situation, decreasing industrial production and low consumer confidence are leading to a global slowdown in demand for container transport of as much as 9% in the first quarter of this year.
This results in a decrease in container handling at Port of Antwerp-Bruges of 5.9% in tons and 5.2% in TEUs, compared to the first six months of 2022. Compared to the other ports in the Hamburg – Le Havre range, Port of Antwerp-Bruges' market share increases by 1% point to 30.6% in the first three months of 2023.
Despite the weak economic climate, conventional breakbulk is holding up quite well. Throughput volumes are in line with the pre-Covid-19 period, but down 17.2% compared to the same period in 2022, which showed exceptionally high throughput rates due to a strong post-Covid-19 recovery. The slowing economy is accompanied by a decline in demand for steel – the most important cargo group within this segment. Steel throughput, both import and export, decreased in total by 18%.
Main European fruit port
In contrast to the overall decline in container throughput, the number of reefer containers grew by 10.6% compared to the same period last year. An important part of the goods in these reefer containers is fruit: bananas, kiwis, pineapples, melons, citrus fruits, lychees, .... Handling these perishables requires the necessary expertise and specialisation, which specialised terminals, coldstores and logistics service providers take care of. They make Port of Antwerp-Bruges the most important fruit port of Europe.
For more information: 
Port of Antwerp-Bruges
Tel.: +32 492 15 41 39
[email protected]
portofantwerpbruges.com