The Port of Antwerp-Bruges saw a total throughput of 210.5 million tonnes in the first nine months of the year, an increase of 3% compared to the same period last year and a stabilisation compared to the second quarter of 2024.

"Demand for container transport remains strong, while the ongoing geopolitical and economic instability impacts other cargo types," the port said.

Despite these challenges, the port noted that it continues to invest in sustainable and innovative projects to support energy transition and industrial growth.

For the period, Port of Antwerp said container throughput in tons increased by 8.9%, with imports increasing by 10.2% and exports by 7.9%.

The growth in the first half of the year continued in the third quarter, with 12.3% more containers handled (TEUs) than in the same quarter last year.

Over the first nine months, total container throughput in TEUs increased by 6.8% to 10,152,000 TEUs.

In the first half of this year, the Port of Antwerp-Bruges' market share in container handling in the Hamburg—Le Havre Range grew by 0.8 percentage points compared to 2023, to 30.7%.

The port noted that nearly 1 in 10 of the containers handled is a reefer container.

In the first nine months of 2024, the number of full reefers increased by 9.7%, accounting for 8.5% of total container throughput.

Port of Antwerp-Bruges said these temperature-controlled containers carry products such as fresh fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, pharmaceuticals and chemicals.

Although conventional general cargo performed strongly in the second quarter, throughput fell in the third quarter, bringing total throughput for the first nine months of 2024 down by 4.8% compared to last year.

Focus on energy transition and industrial growth

Despite ongoing geopolitical and economic challenges, Port of Antwerp-Bruges said its growth is stabilising.

"The figures again underscore the resilience of the port, which in complex times continues to pioneer and invest in a future-proof port where sustainability and economic growth go hand in hand," it said.

The port noted that Zuidnatie's expansion, which started with the construction of a new warehouse for processing steel coils this summer, and Lineage's acquisition of Luik Natie confirm the port's importance in specialist segments.

The recently announced investments, such as Vioneo's fossil-free plastics production and Indaver's Plastics-to-chemicals, which converts polystyrene (PS) and polyolefins (PO) into recycled naphtha, in turn, strengthen the port's position in the energy transition and sustainable innovation.

"Port of Antwerp-Bruges will continue to focus on strengthening its infrastructure and offering sustainable logistics solutions that contribute to the industry's efforts in CO₂ reduction and digitalisation," the port said.

Following the installation of one of Europe's largest public charging hibs for electric trucks in Antwerp, the initial foundations were laid in Zeebrugge for a truck park with charging infrastructure.

In addition, the port noted that the CHERISH20 project, which aims to purify and reuse industrial wastewater, is contributing to the port's development as a "circular hub."

"Despite the complex times in which we operate, with geopolitical tensions, rising energy prices and global competition, we are stabilising our growth, thanks in part to our strong position in container handling," said Jacques Vandermeiren, CEO Port of Antwerp-Bruges.

 

"Sailing around the Cape of Good Hope, cyberattacks and other challenges are forcing us to remain flexible and resilient."

 

Vandermeiren said along with its partners, the port is continuing to build a "future-proof" port where innovation supports both sustainability and economic growth.