Port of Antwerp reports growth despite ongoing pandemic

Port of Antwerp reports growth despite ongoing pandemic

Despite the impact of COVID-19, the Port of Antwerp has reported that during the first six months of 2021, 120 million t were transhipped through the port, compared with the same period last year.

The expanded shortsea connection in response to Brexit are proving effective with transhipments with the UK and Ireland also showing positive figures.

Liquid bulk grew slightly by 1.2 percent compared to 2020 but decreased by 6.1 percent compared to 2019.

In May, the volume of fuels was the highest since October last year, while the transhipment of chemicals increased by 8.9 percent compared to 2020. Demand for chemicals is booming globally due to the recovery in industrial production and is exceeding pre-pandemic levels.

With an annual cargo flow of around 15 million t, the UK is the third largest maritime trading partner for the Port of Antwerp.

The start of Brexit at the beginning of this year created major challenges due to increased administrative complexities and more controls, which resulted in congestion, longer transit times and higher costs.

As a result, the flow of goods between the EU and the UK is decreasing. Despite these difficult conditions, however, the port of Antwerp recorded growth in total throughput of 11.1 percent with the UK and 12.1 percent with Ireland in the first half of the year compared with the same period in 2020.

For more information visit www.portofantwerp.com

19th July 2021