Port of Antwerp-Bruges reports ‘stable’ throughput growth in 2022

The ports' total throughput in 2022 has dropped 0.7% on the year to 286.9 million mt amid a series of geopolitical tensions, which had a mixed impact on inflows.

PHOTO: Huge container ship being unloaded with cranes at a container terminal in Antwerp, Belgium. Getty Images

“Geopolitical tensions, the energy crisis and ongoing disruptions in supply chains made their presence felt and, in addition to shifts within the various commodity flows, put sustained pressure on the container segment,” the Antwerp-Bruges Port Authority says.

Liquid bulk throughput increased by 10% to 90.6 million mt, mainly supported by higher demand for LNG as an alternative to imports of Russian natural gas, Port of Antwerp-Bruges says. LPG, gasoline, and fuel oil also reported higher inflows in 2022, it says.

Dry bulk throughput also increased by 13.8% on the year to 17.2 million mt.

Meanwhile, container cargo throughput dropped 9% on the year to 145.3 million mt. The port authority has attributed the fall in container activity to Russia's war in Ukraine and frequent logistics disruptions last year. It states that the war in Ukraine led to a 59% drop in Russia-related traffic in 2022.

"2022 was, once again, an eventful year, with many logistical and geopolitical challenges. As a world port, we are at the centre of this drama and are holding up well,” Port of Antwerp-Bruges’ chief executive Jacques Vandermeiren says.

By Shilpa Sharma

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