Antwerp-Bruges’ container throughput bounces back amid trading volatility 

In its latest traffic update, the Port of Antwerp-Bruges reported that container throughput has remained steady in 2026, with 200.9 million metric tons of goods handled to date. That’s less than one percent compared to the same period last year. 

The return to 2025 performance levels comes as good news after consecutive operational disruptions marked the first half of the year. The number is even better compared to previous years, according to the port authority. 

“Container throughput recovered strongly,” read the press release posted on the port’s website. “The third quarter was the best since late 2020.”

However, not all is blue skies ahead, as Port of Antwerp-Bruges representatives noted that several factors are currently threatening container traffic.

“The operational context remains challenging,” explained Rob Smeets, CEO of the Port of Antwerp-Bruges. “Trade barriers, high energy prices, and a weak European industrial sector are putting pressure on several cargo flows. That is why we need to keep investing in efficiency, capacity, and competitiveness.” 

Container traffic made a comeback in Antwerp-Bruges

After a first half of the year affected by adverse weather conditions, strikes in the nautical chain, and an oil spill at the Deurganck Dock, the start of the third quarter was also disrupted by a damaged container carrying hydrofluoric acid.

But in August, the trend reversed, the Port of Antwerp-Bruges said, and subsequent strong volumes led to “the best performance since the fourth quarter of 2020,” with container throughput up by 1.2 percent in TEUs over the first nine months. 

Image by Port of Antwerp-Bruges

In tonnage, volume remained close to last year's level, with growth concentrated in empty containers (+11.7 percent in TEUs), while the throughput of full containers dropped by 1.3 percent. 

Antwerp-Bruges also reported that the ongoing conflict in the Middle East continues to impact cargo flows. 

“Since March, no LNG cargoes from Qatar have arrived, and since mid-May, diesel supplies from the Middle East have also come to a halt,” the post reads. “Container shipping lines adjusted their sailing schedules and developed alternative routes to serve the region. As a result, container exports to the Persian Gulf fell by 70 percent, while those to other parts of the Middle East nearly quintupled.”

*All images courtesy of the Port of Antwerp-Bruges.

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