The Port of Antwerp-Bruges experienced a challenging year in 2025 as labour disputes, network delays and wider operational pressures affected cargo flows and service stability.
In an online briefing, Port Chief Executive Jacques Vandermeiren confirmed that around 25 days of industrial action led carriers to divert to other ports, resulting in the loss of 2.4 million tonnes of cargo.
He described the scale of disruption as “a lot” and “once in a lifetime,” while noting uncertainty over whether lost services would return.
Overall cargo volumes across dry, liquid and containerised goods fell compared with the previous year.
However, container activity remained the port’s largest segment, although annual throughput showed only marginal growth.
Last year's challenges continue to cast a shadow on the port's current performance.
The disruption that occurred in 2025 contributed to a decline in the port’s market share within the Hamburg–Le Havre region, which slipped by 1.2 percentage points to 29.3%.
Delays within inland transport, particularly rail, added further strain, and vessel queues increased sharply in the fourth quarter compared with the same period in 2024.
Additional pressure arose from carriers altering routes, changing alliance structures and adjusting networks following diversions around southern Africa.
Trade flows shifted during the year. Imports from China rose by 3.8%, while exports in the opposite direction decreased.
The US became the port’s largest trading partner, driven in part by higher LNG arrivals, although exports of iron, steel and cars weakened as a result of US tariff measures.
Vandermeiren expressed confidence that more stable carrier alliances and operational improvements would reduce congestion risks.
He also reported constructive progress in discussions with marine pilots.
The port highlighted the urgency of advancing major infrastructure projects, including its extra container capacity programme, with construction expected to begin across multiple sites from this year through 2027 and completion targeted for 2032–33.
Without additional capacity, the port cautioned that traffic could shift further to competing gateways.
