The port of Antwerp-Bruges ended 2025 with total maritime throughput of 266.5 million tonnes, a 4.1 percent decline compared with 2024, yet general cargo flows held up well.
Conventional general cargo ended the year with a 1.6 percent increase, supported by strong volumes in the fourth quarter. Throughput of iron and steel fell by 1.7 percent, while other conventional general cargo flows increased by a combined 14.4 percent.
Ro-ro throughput rose by 3 percent, driven by growth in trucks, heavy equipment and used cars. Dry bulk fell by 12.1 percent, mainly due to lower volumes of fertilisers, coal and sand.
Container throughput remained almost stable, with slight growth of 0.4 percent in tonnage and 0.7 percent in teu. Liquid bulk saw a sharp decline due to a drop in oil products (-19 percent).
The port pointed out that European industry is under heavy pressure due to high energy prices and an uncertain investment climate. It said targeted support from authorities remains essential to prevent relocation and to enable investment in industrial renewal and decarbonisation. “2025 highlighted how strongly geopolitical and economic developments impact the operations of a global port like port of Antwerp-Bruges,” said Jacques Vandermeiren. “Tensions between the US, China and Europe, the war in Ukraine, congestion and industrial action had a clear impact. Total transhipment fell slightly. We remain a strong import-export hub, but in 2025 we saw a shift towards a larger share of imports in most traffic flows.”
