In the first nine months of 2025, the port of Antwerp-Bruges handled 202.6 million tonnes of maritime goods, a decrease of 3.8 percent compared with the same period last year.

The throughput of general cargo, including containers, conventional general cargo and ro-ro, increased by 1.3 percent, while dry and liquid bulk together declined by 12.8 percent.

Conventional general cargo trade held firm thanks to a recovery in steel imports, although exports remained under pressure from weaker shipments to the USA and Mexico. Meanwhile, the European Commission unveiled stricter rules to curb foreign steel dumping. 

Following a solid first half of the year, container volumes eased from August onwards, partly as a result of the phase-out of former shipping alliances. This slowdown brought an end to the temporary overlap between calls in old and new alliances, resulting in less congestion, quicker turnarounds and smoother traffic to the hinterland.

Trade with the USA continues to be affected by ongoing uncertainty surrounding import tariffs, said the port. Shipments to and from the USA grew by 15 percent in the first nine months of 2025, driven primarily by containers and liquid bulk. However, since the summer, the impact of US import tariffs has become apparent: exports fell in the third quarter, particularly for steel, which declined by more than a third compared to the second quarter.

The results for the first three quarters of 2025 present a balanced yet challenging picture, said the gateway. “The slight decline in our market share is largely explained by congestion in the first half of the year. Volumes were sufficient, but available terminal capacity was inadequate. Rearrangements within shipping alliances also had a temporary impact on the distribution of traffic between ports. We anticipate that our market share will recover as soon as additional capacity becomes available. The quarterly figures also highlight the resilience of port of Antwerp-Bruges in a particularly volatile economic climate,” said ceo Jacques Vandermeiren.

Source: Heavy Lift