SIMIC

CONTAINER throughput at the Port of Antwerp-Bruges has fallen 5.5 per cent in the first six months of 2023 compared to the same time last year mainly due the worldwide economic condition.

However, the port has managed to stand up well and has even gained market share in container handling when compared to other ports in the Hamburg-Le Havre area, reports London's Port Technology.



After two challenging years, operational issues and bottlenecks at container terminals were rectified, with diverted freight returning.



This results in an improvement in the second quarter (-4.6 per cent in TEU) compared to the results after the first quarter of this year (-5.8 per cent in TEU).



The uncertain economic environment, declining industrial production, and low consumer confidence are causing a global slowdown in container transport demand of up to 9 per cent in the first quarter of this year.



This results in a 5.9 per cent decline in tonnes and a 5.2 per cent decrease in TEU at the Port of Antwerp-Bruges compared to the first six months of 2022.



On the other hand, the refeer sector had a significant increase in the first six months of 2023, with the Port of Antwerp-Bruges reporting a 10.6 per cent increase over the same time last year.



Jacques Vandermeiren, CEO of Port of Antwerp-Bruges, said: "As with other world ports, the economic situation is still posing major challenges, and this is reflected in the figures. But in these volatile conditions, the port is holding up relatively well."



Annick De Ridder, vice-mayor of the City of Antwerp and president of the Board of Directors of Port of Antwerp-Bruges, stated: "The calls of the record ships show that we can receive the largest container ships and handle them thanks to our investments in high-performance infrastructure at the terminals."