Port of Antwerp-Bruges handled 133.9m tonnes of maritime cargo in the first half of 2026, marking a 2.4% decline compared to the same period last year due to geopolitical tensions, trade conflicts, and operational disruptions. Despite a challenging European economic climate, the port limited overall losses, stabilized its container market share, and continued strategic investments in future capacity and infrastructure.
The decline in overall volume was primarily driven by the container segment, where throughput fell 1.5% in TEU and 3.6% in tonnes, heavily impacted by weak Western European export demand (-5.7%) and regional disruptions. Operational events, including two pilot strikes and an oil spill in the Deurganck dock, resulted in a combined loss of approximately 260k TEU, while Middle East geopolitical shifts caused a 57% drop in Persian Gulf imports and a net cargo loss of 2.2m tonnes. Conversely, RoRo traffic showed resilience with a 5.9% increase to 1.695m new vehicles, and dry bulk grew by 2.2%.
To secure long-term competitiveness, the port advanced key infrastructure projects, including progress on the Extra Container Capacity Antwerp initiative and Flemish government approval for the Left Bank Container Cluster draft decision. Positioned as a core European gateway, the port also strengthened its liner network through new commitments from major ocean carriers, including Gemini Cooperation and Premier Alliance.