Despite a turbulent 2025 marked by geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainty, and unprecedented industrial action, the Port of Antwerp-Bruges ended the year with resilience, maintaining throughput broadly in line with previous years.
Container traffic remained stable, underscoring the port’s role as a critical European logistics hub and reinforcing the urgency for expanded capacity.
“2025 highlighted how strongly geopolitical and economic developments impact the operations of a global port like Port of Antwerp-Bruges,” said Jacques Vandermeiren, CEO.
“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.
"The stability of container traffic following a strong 2024 confirms our strategic role in the European logistics chain, while also highlighting the need for additional capacity. Only close collaboration with port companies, other ports, and authorities will enable us to continue to grow competitively, safely, and with a future-focused approach.”
The United States unexpectedly became the port’s largest trade partner, handling 31.3 million tonnes of throughput, largely driven by higher LNG imports. While higher US tariffs dampened exports of iron, steel, and cars, container imports from China rose 3.8%, cementing China as the main origin for containers and cars.
In Zeebrugge, the European ban on transshipment of Russian LNG to non-EU destinations hit energy volumes, though growing LNG production in the US and Middle East offers potential for future growth. Operational challenges compounded pressures, with disrupted sailing schedules, cargo rerouting, and a phased shift in container alliances, alongside 25 days of industrial action that cost an estimated 2.4 million tonnes—around 1% of annual throughput.
Overall, total maritime throughput fell 4.1% to 266.5 million tonnes. Container throughput held steady, rising 0.4% in tonnage and 0.7% in TEU, though market share in the Hamburg–Le Havre Range slipped 1.2 percentage points to 29.3% in the first nine months.
Liquid bulk declined sharply, dropping 19% due to lower gasoline exports and diesel imports, while conventional general cargo rose 1.6%, supported by strong Q4 volumes. RoRo traffic increased 3%, driven by trucks, heavy equipment, and used cars, while dry bulk fell 12.1%.
A total of 20,236 seagoing vessels visited the port (+0.2%), though cruise traffic dropped to 166 ships carrying 466,089 passengers.
Looking ahead to 2026, the port will focus on infrastructure, safety, and sustainable transition. Major projects, including Extra Container Capacity Antwerp (ECA) and the New Zeebrugge Lock, are set to advance with Flemish government support. Circularity initiatives, low-carbon molecules, and collective CO₂ infrastructure will further reinforce the port’s transition hub ambitions.
“Only close collaboration with port companies, other ports, and authorities will enable us to continue to grow competitively, safely, and with a future-focused approach,” Vandermeiren emphasized, signalling cautious optimism for the year ahead.
