The total freight volume handled by Port of Antwerp rose by 4.0% in the first quarter compared with the same period last year.

In a statement, Europe's second-largest seaport, noted that container volume made up for the decline in other freight categories such as conventional breakbulk and vehicles.

The impact of the corona crisis, it added, also remained limited in the first three months of the year.

Container volume still rising

With growth of 9.5% in TEU and 9.4% in tonnage the container trade remains by far the largest segment in the port of Antwerp. There was a noticeable increase in the amount of pharmaceuticals and e-commerce goods, and there was higher demand for long-life foodstuffs.

With the exception of a slight decline in goods from the Far East (down 2.2%) all trading regions experienced strong growth. 

Port of Antwerp said breakbulk, however, have been under pressure since last year, resulting in a total decline of 27.8%, with imports being hit harder than exports. 

Bulk freight remains stable. The Port saw dry bulk volume at the end of the first quarter slightly up, by 1.2%. 

Impact of corona on Port of Antwerp

Port of Antwerp said the current pandemic is causing disruptions to production and supply chains around the world and the port, being an international hub for the transport of goods, will "inevitably feel the effects of this."

"The impact of the crisis during the first quarter has remained fairly limited, but it will become apparent in the second quarter with cancelled departures, large sectors of industry such as the car industry in western Europe being shut down, and changing patterns of consumer behaviour," it said.

At the moment, however, it noted that it is impossible to predict the final impact on the global economy and thus also the volume of freight passing through the port of Antwerp as "much wil ldepend on how quickly industry is able to start up again and consumer confidence to return."

Ongoing operations at Port of Antwerp

Port alderman Annick De Ridder said Port of Antwerp "remains 100% operational despite the far-reaching social consequences of the corona pandemic."

Freight handling and industrial production are continuing unabated, he added. All partners in the chain of production and supply are also constantly monitoring the situation and making adjustments where necessary, thus enabling Port of Antwerp to react to the varying demand from the market," he further said.