Throughput at Antwerp-Bruges rises

Total throughput was 143.2 million tonnes, an increase of 3% compared to the same period in 2023. Initially driven by increased demand for container transport, this upward trend is now being seen in other product categories.

Jacques Vandermeiren, chief executive at Port of Antwerp-Bruges said the past half year had been challenging. “But despite the ongoing geopolitical tensions, a still fragile economic climate and farmers’ protests, we are continuing with positive figures once more, showing even stronger growth in the first quarter,” he said.

“Moreover, we remain committed to advancing our pioneering role in the energy transition, including initiatives such a shore power projects and truck charging infrastructure.”

During the first half of the year container throughput rose 6.8% in terms of tonnage and 4.1% in terms of teu. Conventional breakbulk throughput was down 6.2% but the second quarter showed an upward trend.

Throughput of iron and steel remains stable at +0.6%, as does the dry bulk and liquid segments at +0.4% and +0.0% respectively.

RoRo traffic dropped by 5.7% but showed small signs of a recovery during the second quarter. Congestion at terminals persists resulting in a decrease in throughput for all transport materials of 13.2%.

During the first half of 2024, 9,906 ocean-going vessels called at the port, a decrease of 2.8%. The port saw 270,600 cruise passengers pass through its gates on 82 ships, an 8.9% increase in passenger numbers and an 8.9% decrease in the number of ships, indicating an increase in ship occupancy levels.