The Belgian Port of Antwerp-Bruges handled 67.7 million tons of cargo in the first quarter of 2025, a drop of 4% compared to the same period last year. According to an official statement from the port, the decline was driven by a "sharp decrease in bulk volumes."

Liquid bulk saw a steep decline of 19.1% due to sharp decreases in gasoline, naphtha, and LNG. Market conditions in Africa, reduced naphtha demand from the petrochemical industry, and EU sanctions on Russian LNG transshipment were the main drivers behind the drop.

Conventional general cargo also experienced a modest decline (down 5.4%) due to lower iron and steel throughput (down 14.3%).

Container throughput served as a key growth engine this quarter, rising 4.6% in tonnage and 4.5% in TEUs compared to the same period in 2024, despite geopolitical uncertainties and container alliance restructuring.

However, strikes and congestion at other European ports resulted in longer container dwell times, adding pressure on terminal capacity. The Port of Antwerp-Bruges' market share in the Hamburg-Le Havre Range increased to 30.5% in 2024. On a global level, the port climbed from 15th to 14th in the ranking of the world’s largest container ports.

Impact of U.S. import tariffs on the Port of Antwerp-Bruges

According to port officials, the impact of U.S. import duties remains limited for now. The United States is the port’s second-largest trading partner, and although companies are preparing for tariffs, “no clear export acceleration toward the U.S. has been noticeable so far.”

Container exports increased by 3.2%, steel saw a temporary peak in January, and 20% fewer cars were exported to the U.S. - in line with the overall decline in car exports. Disrupted shipping schedules in containerized liner trade and temporary production suspensions due to trade instability have added pressure on terminals.

“While the immediate impact remains limited for now, it is clear that further developments in the area of trade tariffs could have an effect on the logistics chain in the coming months,” the port said.

In addition to trade tensions with the United States, the port remains vulnerable to economic weakness in Europe, challenges in the industrial sector, and ongoing logistics chain issues.

The port reported that "complex regulations, slow permitting processes and high labor costs are interfering with the willingness to invest. In recent years, the combination of these factors led to a sharp decline in market share, added value and production capacity."

Both the Port of Antwerp-Bruges and Port of Rotterdam are pleading for a rapid implementation of the Clean Industrial Deal, in order to have concrete measures and sufficient budgetary support to restore resilience and future prospects for European industry.