Container throughput surges in Port of Antwerp-Bruges as overall cargo drops in Q1
In the first quarter of 2025, Port of Antwerp-Bruges handled 67.7 million tonnes of cargo, a drop of 4.0% compared to the same period last year. This decline was largely driven by a sharp decrease in bulk volumes, while container throughput recorded growth. The port continues to navigate global challenges such as shifting market dynamics, geopolitical tensions and the ongoing pressure on the European chemicals sector. With the United States as its second-largest trading partner, Port of Antwerp-Bruges is closely watching the evolving trade environment, as future tariff impacts become more pronouncedContainer throughput served as a key growth engine in the first quarter, rising 4.6% in tonnage and 4.5% in TEUs compared to the same period in 2024, despite geopolitical uncertainties and container alliance restructuring. The transition to the new alliances and strikes and congestion at other ports did, however, result in longer container dwell times and therefore put increased pressure on terminal capacity. Port of Antwerp-Bruges’ market share in the Hamburg-Le Havre Range increased to 30.5% in 2024, and on a global level, the port climbed from 15th to 14th place in the ranking of the largest container ports.
Liquid bulk saw the steepest decline (-19.1%), with sharp declines in gasoline, naphtha and LNG. Contributing factors included changed market conditions in Africa, reduced naphtha demand from the petrochemicals industry and EU sanctions on Russian LNG transhipment. The throughput of chemicals increased by 10.9%, mainly thanks to a significant increase in biofuels (+128%) Without that boost, the chemical segment would have seen a slight year-on-year drop (-1.7%). Europe’s chemical industry remains under considerable pressure in terms of global competitiveness.
In other segments, the impact of challenging market conditions remained limited. For example, conventional general cargo experienced a modest decline (-5.4%) due to lower iron and steel throughput (-14.3%) as a result of the weak economic climate and import quotas. RoRo throughput rose slightly (+1.1%), even with a sharp decline in new car throughput (-11.3%), which is a reflection of the difficult situation in the European automotive industry. The decline in vehicle throughput was offset by increases in other RoRo cargoes such as unaccompanied freight. Dry bulk remained almost stable (-0.8%).
The impact of US import duties on traffic in Port of Antwerp-Bruges remains limited for now, said a port release.
Source: Exim News Service: Antwerp, April 22