A container volume decrease of 9.8% in terms of tonnes and 6.2% in terms of TEU was recorded in the Port of Antwerp-Bruges during the first half of the year, compared to the first half of 2021.
The major Belgian port has moved 6.77 million TEU, translating to 74.1 million tonnes, in the first six months of 2022.
The reasons the container trade appears to continue to face operational challenges are both the global disrupted container liner shipping and vessel delays, combined with large volumes of import cargo, according to the port.
“Additional container capacity and investments in strategic infrastructure are indispensable in order to secure our position as a world port,” said Annick De Ridder, Vice-Mayor of the City of Antwerp and President of the board of directors of Port of Antwerp-Bruges.
At the same time, Russia-related container traffic fell by 39% due to the war in Ukraine.
The total throughput of the port was 147.2 million tonnes, a figure increased by 1.4% compared to the same period last year.
Conventional general cargo saw a double-digit increase of 22% in the first half of the year compared to the same period in 2021 and recorded the highest traffic volume since 2011.
Moreover, roll-on/roll-off traffic showed an increase of 8.9%, while the dry bulk segment grew by 17.6% and the liquid bulk segment by 16.5%.
“Given the current geopolitical and macroeconomic context, this slight growth is definitely a relief. These figures confirm that we are stronger together as a unified port. The context continues to pose significant challenges, especially in the container segment. Thanks to the merger, we can now offer two complementary platforms as a unified port, significantly strengthening our position in the international logistics chain and as one of the main gateways to Europe,” commented Jacques Vandermeiren, CEO of Port of Antwerp-Bruges.
