Freight News, Sea


Antwerp box volumes under pressure

[ April 29, 2026   //   ]

The Port of Antwerp Bruges handled 65.5 million tons of maritime cargo in the first quarter of 2026, down 3.2% compared to the same period last year. After a weak start in January and February, throughput recovered in March. General cargo (-4.4%) – in particular containers and conventional general cargo – was under pressure, while bulk cargo remained stable (-0.6%) and ro ro traffic increased. It said the results reflect a complex combination of factors, including adverse weather conditions, social actions, geopolitical tensions and a weakened European industrial base.
In the first quarter of 2026, container throughput decreased by 5.5% in tons and 2.6% in TEU compared to the same period last year. However, this should be seen against the backdrop of a relatively strong start to 2025, when the restructuring of container alliances generated high inbound volumes, as well as the weakened export position of Western Europe, the port said.
In addition, the start of the year was marked by extreme weather conditions in the Bay of Biscay in mid February, and a four day strike also had a significant impact. But from mid February onwards, and particularly in March, volumes recovered, once again highlighting the need for additional container handling capacity.
The direct impact of the conflict in the Middle East remained limited in the first quarter due to longer sailing times via the Cape of Good Hope. The decline in imports from and exports to and from the Persian Gulf, of respectively 12% and 49%, during this period can largely be attributed to weather related disruptions.
From the end of March onwards, however, the first effects became visible. On 23 March, the last LNG tanker so far from Qatar arrived in Zeebrugge, and container lines adjusted their sailing schedules towards alternative ports in the Middle East and the eastern Mediterranean.
At present, the most significant impact of the conflict and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz is indirect, through rising energy and fuel prices. These increased bunker and transport costs and further weaken the competitiveness of European industry.

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