Antwerp-Bruges stands firm as geopolitical forces reshape trade flows

(Posted on 16/07/26)

In the first half of 2026, Port of Antwerp-Bruges handled 133.9 million tonnes of maritime cargo, a decline of 2.4% compared with the same period last year. Against the backdrop of geopolitical tensions, trade conflicts, exceptional operational disruptions, and a challenging economic climate, the decline was relatively limited. While bulk remained more or less stable (-1.3%) and RoRo grew (+5.9%), the decline was observed primarily in the general cargo segment, with container throughput being the main factor. At the same time, Port of Antwerp-Bruges retained its market share in container throughput and continued to invest in additional capacity, efficient infrastructure, and sustainable growth.

Dry bulk grew by 2.2%, while liquid bulk declined slightly (-1.9%) after a weak start to the year.

Container throughput came under pressure in the first half of 2026 and was the main cause of the decline in total cargo handling. Expressed in TEU, throughput fell by 1.5% compared to an exceptionally strong first half of 2025; in tons, the decline was 3.6%. Exports of full containers in particular fell behind (-5.7%), reflecting the weak export position of the Western European economy. At the same time, throughput of empty containers rose (+13.7%), indicating a growing imbalance between imports and available export cargo.

The geopolitical developments in the Middle East had a clear impact on trade flows. Imports from the countries around the Persian Gulf were 57% lower in the first half of 2026 compared to the previous year. Energy flows above all were impacted: following the final LNG shipment from Qatar on 23 March, shipments from the region came to a virtual standstill in April, and LNG shipments from Qatar fell by 66%. Container shipping lines adjusted their schedules and plotted alternative routes through the Red Sea and the Eastern Mediterranean region. As a result, cargo flows through the Persian Gulf declined sharply, while other ports in the Middle East picked up the slack. Net cargo losses related to the Persian Gulf rose to approximately 2.2 million tons in the first half of the year. The biggest impact is indirect: higher energy, bunker, and transport costs, as well as disruptions to supply chains, are putting additional pressure on European industry.

U.S. trade policy also had an impact. The United States remained Port of Antwerp-Bruges’ most important trade partner, but imports of full containers from the U.S. fell by 10.4%, while exports to the U.S. fell by 16.5%. Exports of conventional general cargo to the U.S., primarily steel, fell by 32%. China is still a growth market, with higher container traffic, vehicle volumes, and steel shipments. LNG imports from Russia rose by 12.5% ahead of the European import ban which will come into force in 2027.

Conventional general cargo remained under pressure (-11.7%) due to weak European industrial demand, U.S. import tariffs on steel, high energy and transport costs, and uncertainty surrounding the CBAM and European import quotas. The higher steel volumes from China (+44.8%) only partially offset the decline in other trade flows.