The Port of Antwerp-Bruges has completed 2024 with a 2.3 per cent increase in overall throughput, at 278 million tonnes.
Despite economic challenges and geopolitical tensions, the Port of Antwerp-Bruges achieved a total throughput of 278 million tonnes in 2024, up 2.3 per cent from 2023.
Containers led the boom, increasing by 8.9 per cent in tonnage and 8.1 per cent in TEUs. Reefer containers climbed by 9.2 per cent, making up 8.6 per cent of overall container traffic.
The market share in the Hamburg-Le Havre Range increased by 0.7 percentage points to 30.6 per cent in the first nine months of the year.
Instability in the Red Sea and geopolitical tensions caused lengthier shipping schedules and uncertainty in international trade.
Conventional general cargo witnessed growth in iron and steel throughput by 3.7 per cent while other product categories fell.
By 2024, RoRo throughput decreased by 3.4 per cent, mostly due to a decrease in auto throughput of 10.3 per cent.
Dry bulk throughput rose by 0.4 per cent. Coal declined considerably by 35.4 per cent, whereas fertilisers increased by 22.9 per cent.
Liquid bulk declined by 5.8 per cent, mostly owing to lower demand for diesel 22.3 per cent and LNG 21.9 per cent.
Chemicals, on the other hand, expanded rapidly by 14.8 per cent, aided by a 60.1 per cent rise in biofuels, despite ongoing pressure on the European chemicals industry.
Johan Klaps, Port Alderman of the City of Antwerp, said: “We look back on 2024 with pride, but forward to 2025 with greater ambition. Our port is the economic engine of Flanders, even in challenging times.
”With a strong focus on sustainability, innovation and strengthening our international position, we continue to invest in a future-proof port that creates prosperity for Flanders and far beyond.”
In November 2024, six energy-efficient tugboats, including the revolutionary Volta 1, arrived at the Port of Antwerp-Bruges.
