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Port of Antwerp-Bruges handled 202.6 million tons of maritime cargo in the first nine months of 2025, a 3.8% decline compared to the same period last year. Container and general cargo showed modest growth, while dry and liquid bulk volumes fell sharply under global uncertainties.
Container traffic showed stability for most of the year but slowed from August, partly due to the full phase-out of old shipping alliances. At the same time, ongoing uncertainty around U.S. import tariffs is weighing on trade with the United States, a key partner for the port.
Container Traffic Eases, Congestion Drops
After a strong start to the year, container throughput fell 2.4% in the third quarter compared with 2024. However, for the first nine months, container volumes still recorded slight gains: +1.1% in tonnage and +1.6% in TEU. Analysts link the slowdown to the normalization of shipping alliances, which removed overlapping calls and temporarily eased port congestion. Waiting times shortened, and hinterland transport flows became more predictable.
The port’s market share in the Hamburg–Le Havre Range slipped 0.7 percentage points to 29.8% in the first half of 2025, largely due to limited terminal capacity. The ongoing ECA (Extra Container Capacity Antwerp) project aims to address this bottleneck. Operational reliability remains pressured by unpredictable schedules and ongoing labor actions.
Divergent Trends Across Cargo Segments
Conventional general cargo remained stable, supported by recovering steel imports, although exports suffered due to reduced shipments to the U.S. and Mexico. The European Commission introduced stricter import rules to curb foreign steel dumping.
Liquid bulk dropped 13.5%, driven by lower exports of petroleum products to West Africa and continued weakness in the European chemical sector. Growth in biofuels and energy gases partially offset the decline. LNG traffic fell due to the EU ban on Russian gas transshipment, but higher imports from the U.S. softened the impact.
Dry bulk volumes fell 8.9%, mainly due to weaker fertilizer flows. Imports from Russia and Morocco provided temporary relief before new EU tariffs took effect. The RoRo segment increased 3.3%, reflecting rising imports of new cars from China, along with higher volumes of trucks and used vehicles. China now accounts for the majority of new vehicle imports.
U.S. Trade Shows Both Opportunity and Pressure
Trade with the United States, the port’s second-largest partner, grew 15% over the first nine months of 2025, driven by containers and liquid bulk. Since summer, however, U.S. import tariffs have started to dampen exports, particularly in steel, which dropped by more than a third from the previous quarter.
Imports remain robust, with liquid bulk surging and LNG volumes tripling. Container imports from the U.S. rose 8%, though growth slowed slightly from August. These flows underscore the port’s role as a gateway for alternative energy sources replacing Russian gas.
Navigating a Volatile Year
The first three quarters of 2025 paint a picture of resilience mixed with caution. Container flows have stabilized, congestion has eased, and U.S. trade shows ongoing strength. At the same time, weak exports and the challenging European chemical sector highlight the port’s exposure to geopolitical and economic fluctuations.
Jacques Vandermeiren, CEO of Port of Antwerp-Bruges, said, “The slight decline in our market share is largely explained by congestion in the first half of the year. Available volumes were sufficient, but terminal capacity was limited. Realignments within shipping alliances temporarily affected traffic distribution. Once extra capacity is available, we expect market share recovery.”
Johan Klaps, Chairman of the Board and Antwerp Port Alderman, added, “It has been a tough year for our international reputation. Labor actions affected clients worldwide, creating uncertainty. Still, these results show that Port of Antwerp-Bruges continues to perform under challenging conditions thanks to our entire port community.”
Dirk De fauw, Mayor of Bruges and Vice-Chair of the Board, noted, “Zeebrugge also feels the impact of global market shifts. Yet our port remains a crucial link for energy, vehicles, and goods. LNG and RoRo traffic highlight our strategic role in European logistics.”
