The Port of Antwerp-Bruges started 2026 under pressure, handling 65.5 million tons of maritime cargo in the first quarter—a 3.2% drop compared with the same period last year. 

 

After a sluggish January and February, activity rebounded in March, but not enough to offset early losses driven by weather shocks, labour unrest, and weakening industrial demand across Europe.

 

General cargo bore the brunt of the downturn, falling 4.4%, with container flows and conventional cargo both under strain. Bulk cargo held relatively steady at -0.6%, while RoRo traffic moved in the opposite direction, posting growth despite broader market headwinds.

 

Officials point to a “perfect storm” of disruption: severe winter weather, industrial action, geopolitical instability, and structural weakness in Europe’s manufacturing base.

 

Container operations were particularly affected. Throughput fell 5.5% in tonnage and 2.6% in TEU year-on-year, following an unusually strong early 2025 when alliance restructuring had temporarily inflated inbound volumes. Export weakness from Western Europe further dragged on performance.

 

Operational disruption compounded the slowdown. “Extreme weather conditions,” including a January snowstorm and prolonged cold spell followed by storms in the Bay of Biscay, disrupted shipping schedules and terminal efficiency. A four-day strike over pension reform further strained capacity, forcing vessel diversions and partial handling of scheduled calls.

 

“The interruption of the nautical chain led to the diversion of several vessels to other ports and to planned call-sizes that could only be partially handled due to a lack of spare terminal capacity.” Overall, the port estimates around 100,000 TEU—about 1.1 million tons of container throughput—was lost in the quarter.

 

From mid-February, conditions stabilised, with March delivering a notable recovery, underscoring renewed pressure for expanded container handling capacity.

 

Conventional general cargo also weakened, driven by lower steel exports to the United States, Mexico, and Canada, alongside the introduction of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) at the start of 2026.

 

In contrast, RoRo traffic grew, supported by stronger flows of new vehicles and high-and-heavy equipment. However, shortsea RoRo remains under pressure from the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS), particularly on longer routes, even as rising diesel prices slow the shift toward road transport.

 

Dry bulk volumes fell 4.9%, weighed down by reduced fertiliser shipments and the disappearance of coal traffic. Liquid bulk edged up 0.2%, buoyed by a strong March, though performance varied sharply across products: gasoline, naphtha, fuel oil, and LNG increased, while diesel, kerosene, and LPG declined.

 

These mixed trends reflect shifting global energy flows, feedstock changes, anticipation of EU restrictions on Russian LNG imports, and volatile market conditions including backwardation. The chemicals segment remains under sustained pressure from Europe’s struggling industrial base.

 

Geopolitical tensions added further uncertainty. The Middle East conflict had limited immediate impact due to longer sailing routes via the Cape of Good Hope, though trade with the Persian Gulf still fell sharply—imports by 12% and exports by 49%. Much of this decline was attributed to earlier weather-related disruption.

 

However, signs of impact began emerging in late March. On 23 March, the last LNG tanker from Qatar arrived in Zeebrugge, while shipping lines began rerouting services toward alternative Middle East and eastern Mediterranean hubs.

 

Indirect effects are now more visible through rising energy costs. Higher bunker and transport prices are eroding European industrial competitiveness, while low gas storage levels and supply chain disruptions are adding inflationary pressure ahead of winter replenishment needs.

 

Despite the headwinds, the port continues to invest heavily in future capacity and sustainability. Chinese manufacturer Windrose is establishing its first European flagship electric truck site in Antwerp, reinforcing the port’s appeal for advanced logistics and green mobility investment.

 

Infrastructure upgrades are also underway, including modernisation of the Europa Terminal with new crane systems designed to handle next-generation megaships. A market assessment for the ECA project has also been launched to expand container capacity in the years ahead.

 

Leadership says the challenges underline deeper structural issues facing Europe’s economy.

 

“This quarter’s results show how strongly external factors are currently influencing port activity and the wider economy,” said Rob Smeets, CEO ad interim of Port of Antwerp-Bruges. “We are seeing the impact of geopolitical tensions, disruptions in supply chains and the difficult position of European industry.”

 

Johan Klaps, Chairman of the Board, added that the pressures are “not a cyclical phenomenon, but point to structural bottlenecks in the competitiveness of the European economy.”

 

Antwerp-Bruges is betting on expansion, electrification, and infrastructure renewal to secure its position in a rapidly shifting global supply chain.