The Port of Antwerp-Bruges recorded its strongest quarterly container performance since the fourth quarter of 2020, following a significant recovery in cargo volumes during the third quarter of 2026.
Container throughput increased by 1.2% in twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) during the first nine months of 2026 compared with the same period last year. However, container cargo measured by tonnage declined by 0.6%, reflecting changing trade patterns and an imbalance between imports and exports.
The recovery gained momentum from August after a difficult first half of the year, when port operations were affected by adverse weather, strikes across the nautical chain and an oil spill in the Deurganck Dock. Operations faced further disruption in July following an incident involving a damaged container carrying hydrofluoric acid.
Empty-container volumes increased by 11.7% in TEUs, while full-container volumes declined by 1.3%. The divergence reflects stronger import flows and pressure on exports, increasing the need to reposition empty containers, particularly towards Asia.
Despite the container recovery, the port’s overall cargo performance remained under pressure. Total maritime throughput reached 200.9 million tonnes during January–September 2026, down 0.8% year on year.
Other cargo segments recorded mixed results. Roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) throughput increased by 5.5%, supported by a 9.3% rise in new-car volumes, particularly from China and Japan. Dry bulk volumes grew by 13%, driven by higher iron ore and other mineral shipments. In contrast, conventional general cargo declined by 16.6%, including a 17.5% fall in iron and steel volumes.
Geopolitical tensions and disruptions in the Middle East have also reshaped shipping patterns. Container exports to the Persian Gulf fell by 70%, while exports to other parts of the Middle East nearly quintupled as shipping lines adjusted schedules and introduced alternative routes.
Port of Antwerp-Bruges Chief Executive Rob Smeets said the strong third-quarter recovery demonstrated the port’s resilience, while warning that trade barriers, high energy prices and weakness in European industry continued to affect cargo flows.
The latest performance highlights the port’s ability to recover from operational disruptions, although persistent trade uncertainty and uneven demand continue to challenge the wider European logistics sector.