Quarterly figures confirm rise in Antwerp bulk
(Posted on 20/04/22)
The total throughput of Port of Antwerp amounted to 58.3 million metric tonnes in the first quarter, a drop of 1.5% compared with the same period last year. On the eve of the merger with Port of Zeebrugge, these quarterly figures confirm the importance of responding to the current challenges collectively and further reinforcing the position in the international logistical chain. Furthermore, the drop in the container segment, which is partly the result of capacity problems, underscores the urgency of extra container capacity.
After a strong 2021 in which Q1 was one of the best quarters ever, the throughput of fertilisers is dropping (-19,6%), which is due in part to the sanctions in respect of Russia as well as the sharp rise in prices. Thanks to the rise in the throughput of ores, coal and particularly grain, the dry bulk segment grew by 11.1% compared to the same period last year. Liquid bulk is also seeing a rise (+15.3%) compared to the first quarter of 2021, with a growth of 16.6% in petroleum derivatives. The throughput of chemicals remains strong, likewise seeing a growth of 16.6%, despite the challenges owing to high feedstock prices. The doubling of biofuels was notable within this segment.
Conventional general cargo grew by 49.1% compared to the weak first quarter of 2021,. Steel, the major category of goods within this segment, is holding firm on the export side. The sanctions prohibiting the import of steel from Russia and Belarus since mid-March are having only a limited effect on throughput. After all, these flows are being replaced by imports from other countries because the EU has redistributed the import quota for steel from Russia and Belarus across other steel-exporting countries.
Despite difficult circumstances, the container segment held firm in 2021. In the first quarter of 2022, however, container traffic saw a fall of 11.6% in TEU compared to the same period last year, the second best quarter ever for containers. The disruption to container liner trade, delays and high import call sizes (number of containers unloaded by ships) are posing protracted operational challenges, which are making the operation of the container terminals more difficult. Moreover, the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the sanctions imposed also put pressure on the number of containers handled.
RoRo saw slight growth (+2.4%), but there has been a significant fall in tonnage since the strong last quarter of 2021. The problems with the production of new vehicles are still affecting the throughput volumes.
The announcement of these quarterly figures comes on the eve of the merger with Port of Zeebrugge. Compared to the first quarter of 2021, all the cargo types are showing growth except for containers.
Jacques Vandermeiren, CEO of Port of Antwerp: “The protracted challenges in the logistics chain are revealed in the figures. These are the latest figures we at Port of Antwerp are announcing. They confirm that through this merger, we will gain a stronger position for the future. Along with Zeebrugge, we have the ability to further reinforce our position in the international logistics chain, in the current complex geopolitical and macro-economic context.”
Latest News
Euroports secures long-term future in Venice with 25-year deal
(Posted on 31/03/25)Euroports has announced the renewal of the concession for Terminal Rinfuse Venezia (TRV) at Porto Marghera... Read more
Panama Canal promotes sustainable maritime shipping with NetZero Slot
(Posted on 27/03/25)Contributing to the commitment of achieving net zero emissions by 2050, the Panama Canal authority has... Read more
Saguenay Port brings electric-driven Konecranes Gottwald MHC to Canada
(Posted on 27/03/25)The Saguenay Port Authority in Quebec has ordered a Konecranes Gottwald ESP.6B Mobile Harbor Crane for... Read more
Cas König joins North Sea Port as new CEO
(Posted on 18/03/25)North Sea Port Supervisory Body has appointed Cas König as the port authority's new CEO. Kö... Read more
Inspirational leader, Trois-Rivières Port President and CEO, Bovin to retire this year
(Posted on 12/03/25)After 19 years at the helm of the Port of Trois-Rivières and a career rich in major projects,... Read more
State-of-the-art cranes for Egyptian multipurpose cargo terminal
(Posted on 06/03/25)Abu Dhabi based AD Ports Group, an enabler of integrated trade, transport and logistics solutions, has... Read more
Call for swift implementation of Europe’s Clean Industrial Deal
(Posted on 01/03/25)The Port of Rotterdam and Port of Antwerp-Bruges have welcomed the Clean Industrial Deal, through which... Read more
Canadian Government invests $87.1M in Trois-Rivières Terminals project
(Posted on 28/02/25)The Canadian Port of Trois-Rivières is delighted to have received major funding of $87.1 million... Read more
Katoen Natie invests in four all-electric Konecranes Gottwald MHCs
(Posted on 15/02/25)Belgian logistics giant Katoen Natie has ordered four all-electric Konecranes Gottwald Mobile Harbor... Read more
AD Ports reports another year of record results
(Posted on 14/02/25)AD Ports Group, Abu Dhabi based enabler of integrated trade, transport and logistics solutions, has... Read more
