The Port of Antwerp-Bruges has reported strong recovery in container throughput in volatile trading environment.
Reportedly in the first nine months of 2026, Port of Antwerp-Bruges handled 200.9 million tonnes of goods, 0.8% less than in the same period last year.
After a first half of the year in which shipping was affected by adverse weather conditions, strikes in the nautical chain, and an oil spill in the Deurganck Dock, the start of the third quarter was also disrupted.
In mid-July, a damaged container carrying hydrofluoric acid disrupted operations in the Deurganck Dock.
From August onwards, the trend reversed. The subsequent strong volumes led to the best performance since the fourth quarter of 2020, Port of Antwerp-Bruges reported.
As a result, container throughput grew by 1.2% in TEUs over the first nine months. In tonnage, volume remained 0.6% below last year’s level.
The growth was concentrated in empty containers (+11.7% in TEUs), while the throughput of full containers dropped by 1.3%.
Rising import volumes and pressure on exports are increasing the imbalance and the need to reposition empty containers, particularly towards Asia.
The ongoing conflict in the Middle East also continues to impact cargo flows. Since March, no LNG cargoes from Qatar have arrived, and since mid-May, diesel supplies from the Middle East have also come to a halt.
Container shipping lines adjusted their sailing schedules and developed alternative routes to serve the region. As a result, container exports to the Persian Gulf fell by 70%, while those to other parts of the Middle East nearly quintupled.
Rob Smeets, CEO Port of Antwerp-Bruges, said: “The strong recovery of container throughput in the third quarter shows the resilience of Port of Antwerp-Bruges.
“Simultaneously, the operational context remains challenging. Trade barriers, high energy prices, and a weak European industrial sector are putting pressure on several cargo flows.
“That is why we need to keep investing in efficiency, capacity, and competitiveness so that Port of Antwerp-Bruges can continue to serve as a logistical and industrial powerhouse in a volatile context.”
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