Port of Antwerp new pic 2016

The port of Antwerp handled a freight volume of 108.3m tonnes in the first six months of this year, 3.6 per cent more than in the same period last year.

According to the port authority, container volumes in TEU expanded by 4.4 per cent year-on-year.

The first half year also saw 'significantly more' ultra-large container carriers calling at Antwerp. While the total after the first six months of 2015 stood at 146, this year the equivalent figure was 242, up by 66 per cent. The growth in the category of 13,000 TEU or more was even higher at 78 per cent.

Container volumes in tonnes expanded during the first six months by 3.9 per cent, finishing at 59.8m tonnes.

Fruit volume remained stable, although there was an increase in the amount of containerised fruit, the port authority noted.