Geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainty and industrial action weighed on the activities of the port last year
The Port of Antwerp-Bruges has reported on its results for 2025, a year marked by geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainty.
The war in Ukraine, trade conflicts between the US, Europe and China, and volatile global trade coincided with prolonged congestion at container terminals and an unprecedented level of industrial action, it highlighted.
As a result, total throughput declined, although it did remain broadly in line with previous years, the port pointed out.
Total maritime throughput came in at 266.5mn tonnes, a 4.1 per cent decline year-on-year.
”The port remains a strong import–export hub, but in 2025 most cargo types reflected a shift towards a higher share of imports,” it noted.
Container throughput remained almost stable, with slight growth of 0.4 per cent in tonnage and 0.7 per cent in TEU.
Market share in the Hamburg–Le Havre Range fell by 1.2 percentage points to 29.3 per cent in the first nine months, partly as a result of ongoing congestion.
Looking ahead to 2026, the port said its focus remains on safety, transition, and infrastructure, with ”due attention to economic realities”.
”2025 highlighted how strongly geopolitical and economic developments impact the operations of a global port like Port of Antwerp-Bruges,” stated Jacques Vandermeiren, CEO of Port of Antwerp-Bruges.
“Tensions between the US, China and Europe, the war in Ukraine, congestion and industrial action had a clear impact,” he continued.
”Total transhipment fell slightly. We remain a strong import-export hub, but in 2025 we saw a shift towards a larger share of imports in most traffic flows.
”The stability of container traffic following a strong 2024 confirms our strategic role in the European logistics chain, while also highlighting the need for additional capacity,” Vandermeiren added.
”Only close collaboration with port companies, other ports, and authorities will enable us to continue to grow competitively, safely, and with a future-focused approach.”
