Port of Antwerp-Bruges ends 2025 with resilience in a turbulent trading climate

Geopolitical and economic pressure on port activity

2025 for Port of Antwerp-Bruges was marked by geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainty. The war in Ukraine, trade conflicts between the United States, Europe and China, and volatile global trade coincided with prolonged congestion at container terminals and an unprecedented level of industrial action.

Unexpectedly, the United States emerged as the largest trade partner, accounting for 31.3 million tonnes of throughput, supported by higher LNG imports. Traffic fluctuated strongly throughout the year, partly due to anticipation of import duties and a decline from the second quarter onwards. Higher US tariffs had a dampening effect on exports of iron, steel and cars, among others.

At the same time, container imports from China increased by 3.8%, further widening the imbalance in container flows with the Far East. China was already the main country of origin for containers and became the leading origin for cars in 2025.

In Zeebrugge, the European ban on transshipment of Russian LNG to non-EU destinations negatively impacted energy volumes. However, expanding LNG production capacity in the US and Middle East may support future growth.

Operationally, the logistics chain was also under pressure. Between January and July, disrupted sailing schedules, rerouted cargo, and the simultaneous phasing out of previous container alliances and start-up of new alliances added extra pressure to container logistics. Additionally, around 25 days of industrial action disrupted all cargo segments, resulting in an estimated total loss of 2.4 million tonnes, equivalent to about 1% of annual throughput.

Lower throughput, stable container traffic

Against this backdrop, Port of Antwerp-Bruges ended 2025 with total maritime throughput of 266.5 million tonnes, a 4.1% decline compared with 2024, but broadly in line with previous years. The port remains a strong import–export hub, but in 2025 most cargo types reflected a shift towards a higher share of imports.

Container throughput remained almost stable, with slight growth of 0.4% in tonnage and 0.7% in TEU. Market share in the Hamburg–Le Havre Range fell by 1.2 percentage points to 29.3% in the first nine months, partly as a result of ongoing congestion. This confirms the urgency of projects such as Extra Container Capacity Antwerp (ECA).

Liquid bulk saw a sharp decline due to a drop in oil products (-19%). This decline is mainly due to lower gasoline exports to West Africa and reduced diesel imports. Pressure on the European chemicals sector also continues.

Conventional general cargo ended the year with a 1.6% increase, supported by strong volumes in the fourth quarter. Throughput of iron and steel fell by 1.7%, while other conventional general cargo flows increased by a combined 14.4%. RoRo throughput rose by 3%, driven by growth in trucks, heavy equipment and used cars. Dry bulk fell by 12.1%, mainly due to lower volumes of fertilizers, coal and sand.

In total, 20,236 seagoing vessels visited the port (+0.2%). The number of cruise ships fell to 166, carrying 466,089 passengers.

2026: safety, transition and infrastructure as priorities

In 2026, the focus remains on safety, transition, and infrastructure, with due attention to economic realities. The European industry is under heavy pressure due to high energy prices and an uncertain investment climate. Targeted support from authorities remains essential to prevent relocation and to enable investment in industrial renewal and decarbonisation.

Safety remains a strategic core mission, with investments in physical and digital security, cyber resilience, and the fight against organised crime. Furthermore, Port of Antwerp-Bruges is reinforcing its role as a transition hub. Projects on circularity, low carbon molecules and collective CO₂ infrastructure will take further shape in 2026, including in the NextGen District.

Finally, 2026 will be an important year for major infrastructure projects for which the Flemish Government confirmed investments in 2025, including the ECA and the New Zeebrugge Lock. Despite the challenges, Port of Antwerp-Bruges continues to create a sustainable and competitive future as a global port.