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Overall freight volume declined by 4% to 67.7 million tonnes
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Container and Ro/Ro traffic saw growth, offsetting broader declines
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Market share increased regionally and globally
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The cruise sector experienced significant growth
In the first quarter of 2025, the Port of Antwerp-Bruges handled 3.4 million TEUs, marking a 4.5% increase compared to the same period last year. Total container tonnage rose by 4.6% to 38.4 million tonnes, indicating continued strength in this key cargo segment, according to Container News.
Operational Challenges and Terminal Capacity
The port attributed some delays to the realignment of global shipping alliances, compounded by strikes and congestion at other ports. These factors led to longer container dwell times, exerting additional pressure on the port’s terminal capacity.
Ro/Ro Traffic Trends
Roll-on/roll-off (Ro/Ro) activity at the port grew modestly by 1.1%, with total tonnage reaching 5.1 million. However, the car segment experienced a decline, with only 800,000 units handled—a 9.6% decrease year-over-year.
Market Share and Global Ranking
Antwerp-Bruges’ share in the Hamburg-Le Havre range rose to 30.5% in 2024. On a global scale, the port advanced from 15th to 14th place among the world’s largest container ports.
Liquid Bulk and Breakbulk Performance
The port reported a sharp 19.1% drop in the liquid bulk segment, totaling 18.5 million tonnes. Conventional breakbulk volumes fell by 5.4% to 2.2 million tonnes, while dry bulk dipped slightly by 0.8%, reaching 3.5 million tonnes. Seagoing vessel calls increased by 2.7%, with 4,984 ships recorded in the first quarter. The cruise sector surged by 36.8%, welcoming 26 cruise ships—a notable rise in comparison to last year.
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Source: Container News
