According to the Port Authority, the total throughput of Port of Antwerp decreased by 5.1% in 2020 compared with the first 8 months of last year.
The port has recorded a decline in the transshipment of all goods flows, but is able to limit the damage thanks to container handling, which maintains the status quo. Despite the impact of the coronavirus crisis on global production and logistics chains, and a pandemic-driven drop in demand, the port remains 100% operational.
For breakbulk, with steel as the main product, the impact of global trade issues has been felt since 2019 and the shutdown of some industries due to the coronavirus crisis has led to a sharp drop of 24% by 2020. After a few better months in June and July, there was another relapse in August. Conventional transshipment of fruit did grow, but these volumes are rather limited. The total transshipment of new vehicles decreased by 32%, and that of second-hand vehicles by 25%, in 2020 compared to last year.
Further extension of payment terms
In order to continue supporting the shipping companies, inland navigation operators concessionaires at the port of Antwerp in these difficult circumstances, the Port Authority, in consultation with Alfaport Voka and MLSO, has decided to grant a further postponement of payment for domain concessions and for shipping and inland navigation dues.
Jacques Vandermeiren, CEO of Port of Antwerp: “The impact of the shutdown of the global supply chain due to the coronavirus crisis has been felt from the second quarter onwards and will affect the total throughput of goods this year. At the same time, we are seeing the first signs of recovery and both the global and European economies are picking up.”
