The port of Antwerp-Bruges saw an increase of 3% compared to the same period last year. Positive trend in container throughput continues despite challenging market conditions, however geopolitical situation slows growth in other product groups.
After nine months, Port of Antwerp-Bruges saw a total throughput of 210.5 million tonnes, an increase of 3% compared to the same period last year and a stabilisation in comparison to the second quarter of 2024. Over the first nine months, total container throughput in TEUs increased by 6.8%. Despite the geopolitical and economic challenges, the port continues to invest in sustainability to support energy transition and industrial growth.
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.
Conventional general cargo performed strongly in the second quarter however, throughput fell in the third quarter, bringing total throughput for the first nine months of 2024 down by 4.8% compared to last year.
Roll-on/roll-off traffic dropped by 5.5%. While pressure on car terminals eased, this was due to reduced imports, not due to increased demand from customers.
Throughput of dry bulk fell by 1.4%, mainly due to a sharp drop in throughput of coal (-55.3%). Indeed, dry bulk, excluding energy products such as coal and wood pellets, grew by 9.5%. Fertilisers, the largest product category in this segment, continued its growth (+30.6%) after a sharp decline in 2022 due to sanctions and high gas prices.
Liquid bulk throughput fell by 2.5% after nine months, due to lower volumes of liquid fuels (-8.9%) and LNG (-10.2%). Diesel throughput (-23.1%) in particular declined due to weak demand, while LPG (+8.8%), fuel oil (+8.4%), naphtha (+2.9%) and gasoline (+2.3%) showed growth. The throughput of chemicals increased by 9.3%, partly due to the strong increase in the throughput of biofuels (+52.5%).
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. Sailing around the Cape of Good Hope, cyberattacks and other challenges are forcing us to remain flexible and resilient.
…said acques Vandermeiren, CEO Port of Antwerp-Bruges.
