The total throughput of Port of Antwerp-Bruges reached 147.2 million tonnes in the first six months of the year, recording an increase of 1.4% compared to the same period last year.

"Given the current geopolitical and macroeconomic context, this slight growth, despite a decline in the container segment due to ongoing global congestion problems, confirms its strengthened position as a unified port," the port said.

Container segment under constant pressure

Europe's second-largest seaport noted that container throughput is down 9.8% in tonnes and 6.2% in TEU compared to a strong first half in 2021.

The Port of Antwerp-Bruges said with globally disrupted container liner shipping, vessel delays, and high volumes of import cargo, the container trade continues to face operational challenges.

Moreover, the throughput of containers related to Russia decreased by 39% due to the conflict in Ukraine.

In its performance announcement, the port said conventional general cargo grew strongly by 22% in the first half of the year compared to the same period in 2021 and recorded the highest throughput volume since 2011.

"The main reason for this is the increase in imports of steel, the most important cargo group in this segment. Steel imports from Russia banned by sanctions are being replaced by imports from other countries," the port said, adding that other product groups, such as wood, plywood, and fruit, are also showing growth.

The port said the dry bulk segment grew by 17.6% as fertilizers, after a strong 2021, experienced a loss in throughput (-15.4%), largely due to the sanctions imposed on Russia.

The throughput of sand, gravel, non-ferrous ores, and scrap metal also recorded losses after 6 months. While only 933,000 tonnes of coal were handled in 2021, throughput after 6 months in 2022 is already 1.56 million tonnes due to the sharp increase in gas prices and reduced gas supplies from Russia.

LNG growth in the port cited

In terms of throughput of other oil derivatives and chemicals, the Port of Antwerp-Bruges also grew by 9.9% and 12,3% respectively.

It noted that with a throughput of 8.4 million tons, the most important growth is for LNG which was up 55.3%, because, in addition to the transshipment function of the LNG terminal, European countries are now also busy replenishing gas stocks in the run-up to next winter.

"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 Port of Antwerp-Bruges.

Annick De Ridder, vice-mayor of the City of Antwerp and president of the board of directors of Port of Antwerp-Bruges noted that despite a difficult geopolitical and macro-economic context, the unified port continues to power the economy of Flanders.

"This is proven by the growth compared to the same period last year in cargo handling ... and the particularly strong increase in conventional general cargo (21.8%) with even the highest throughput volume in 10 years," De Ridder said.

"This compensates for the decline in container handling. At the same time, these figures make it clear that additional container capacity and investments in strategic infrastructure are indispensable in order to secure our position as a world port," she added.

Meanwhile, Dirk De fauw, mayor of the City of Bruges and vice-President of Port of Antwerp-Bruges said the latest figures show a "promising" start to the merger of the ports of Antwerp and Zeebrugge — earlier tagged to create Europe's largest export port.

"These figures are a promising start to our 'marriage'. Moreover, the New Lock Zeebrugge will further consolidate our position as a world port," De fauw added.

In February 2021, the City of Antwerp and the City of Bruges announced the launch of the merger process for their respective ports.

The two cities signed the shareholders' agreement of the unified port company at the extraordinary general meeting held on April 222 this year creating the Port of Antwerp-Bruges.