In the first quarter of 2025, the port of Antwerp-Bruges handled 67.7 million tonnes of cargo, a drop of 4 percent compared to the same period last year. The port cites a weak industrial climate and shifting trade flows as reasons for the decline, and called for swift implementation of Europe’s Clean Industrial Deal to safeguard future competitiveness.
This decline was largely driven by a sharp decrease in bulk volumes, while container throughput recorded growth. Conventional breakbulk was down 5.4 percent in Q1 2025 to 2.2 million tonnes due to lower iron and steel throughput (-14.3 percent) as a result of the weak economic climate and import quotas. Steel still accounted for 70.5 percent of the total volume in this segment, compared to the historical average of 75 percent.
Ro-ro traffic rose 1.1 percent year on year to 5.1 million tonnes. However, high and heavy equipment also saw a minor decline of 2.8 percent.
Container throughput rose 4.6 percent in terms of tonnage and 4.5 percent in teu compared to the same period in 2024, despite geopolitical uncertainties and container alliance restructuring.
Liquid bulk saw the steepest decline (-19.1 percent), with sharp declines in gasoline, naphtha and LNG. Contributing factors included changed market conditions in Africa, reduced naphtha demand from the petrochemicals industry and EU sanctions on Russian LNG transhipment.
It added that the impact of US import duties on traffic in port of Antwerp-Bruges remains limited for now. Although some companies are acting in anticipation of tariffs, no clear export acceleration toward the USA has been noticeable so far. Container exports rose by 3.2 percent, steel saw a temporary peak in January, and 20 percent fewer cars were exported to the USA, in line with the overall decline in car exports.
Concurrently, the port said that structural factors – such as disrupted shipping schedules in containerised liner trade, model changes on the car market, and temporary production suspensions – put increased pressure on terminals. “So while the immediate impact remains limited for now, it is clear that further developments in the area of trade tariffs could have an effect on the logistics chain in the coming months,” said the port.
It also highlighted structural problems surrounding the European industrial sector. High energy and production costs, global overcapacity and increasing competition from cheap imports are putting pressure on the sector. Moreover, complex regulations, slow permitting processes and high labour costs are interfering with the willingness to invest. The combination of these factors led to a sharp decline in market share, added value, and production capacity. As a result, the port of Antwerp-Bruges and the port of Rotterdam are calling for the swift implementation of the Clean Industrial Deal—through concrete measures and adequate budgetary support—to restore the resilience and long-term viability of European industry.
