OPERATIONAL and geopolitical disruption is behind a decline in cargo handled by the Belgian ports of Antwerp-Bruges, their operator said in its latest report.

In the first half of 2026, the Port of Antwerp-Bruges handled 133.9m tonnes of cargo, down 2.4% on the same period last year.

Container throughput was the main cause of the decline, the port said. Antwerp-Bruges handled 1.5% fewer teu in the first half of this year compared with the same period in 2025, which it said was particularly strong.

Exports of full containers declined 5.7%, “reflecting the weak export position of the western European economy”, the port said.

This decline was exacerbated by “exceptional operational disruptions”. A four-day strike in March 2026 resulted in an estimated loss of 100,000 teu, the port said, while the oil spill at the Deurganck dock in April caused an additional loss of 85,000 teu. Industrial action by pilots in June caused yet more disruption and a loss of approximately 85,000 teu.

But other forces, acting far away from northern Europe, also impacted cargo flows through Antwerp-Bruges. Imports from nations surrounding the Middle East Gulf were 57% lower in 1H26, while LNG shipments from the region came to a virtual standstill following the final shipment from Qatar in late March.

As a result the port estimated net cargo losses in the region amounted to around 2.2m tonnes.

More pertinent though were “indirect” impacts. Higher energy and bunker costs and the regular disruptions to supply chains were only increasing the pressure on European industry, the port said.

Container throughput aside, ro-ro throughput increased by 5.9% in the first half of 2026 largely thanks to vehicle manufacturing growth in China and Japan. Dry bulk also grew by 2.2%.

Port of Antwerp-Bruges chairman Johan Klaps said the first half of 2026 “demonstrates not only how vulnerable international logistics chains are to disruptions, but also how resilient our port is”.

“Despite successive operational challenges, Port of Antwerp-Bruges managed to maintain its market share in container traffic,” Klaps said.

“This confirms just how crucial investments in accessibility and capacity, as well as a reliable port organisation, are to our port’s appeal to shipping lines, the industry and the wider logistics sector.”

Aside from a disappointing start to 2026 as far as cargo handling is concerned, the so-called Extra Container Handling Capacity Antwerp project took a step closer to fruition after the Flemish government approved plans to increase capacity at the “left cluster”.

When completed, the project will create an extra 7m teu of capacity at the port.