Container volume handled by the Port of Antwerp rose year-over-year by16.2 percent in the first six months of 2010 to 4.2 million 20-foot equivalent container units.
As measured in tons, container volume in Antwerp was up by nearly 20 percent in comparison with the period January-June 2009, from 42.9 million to 51.3 million metric tons.
As measured in tons, container volume in Antwerp was up by nearly 20 percent in comparison with the period January-June 2009, from 42.9 million to 51.3 million metric tons.
“This result gets us back to 2008 levels and confirms Antwerp’s position as Europe’s second-largest container port,” said Antwerp Port Authority CEO Eddy Bruyninckx. “However, the positive trend in 2010 does not mean that we can afford to be any less careful about further developments.”
During the first six months of this year the port of Antwerp handled 87 million metric tons of freight, up 12.7 percent compared with the same period last year, when the volume came to 77 million metric tons.
The volume of bulk freight rose by 4.1 percent in the first half of 2010, to 28.2 million metric tons. The increase was mainly due to the rise in dry bulk, which was up by 24.7 percent to 9.8 million metric tons.
Liquid bulk, however, was down by 4.3 percent to 18.4 million metric tons, mainly due to lower stocking levels on the oil market. Repair and maintenance work by various companies also contributed to the decline. The volume of oil derivatives fell by 11 percent to 11 million metric tons, while crude oil (2.1 million metric tons) and chemicals (4.9 million metric tons) were up by 2.7 percent and 14.1 percent respectively.
Breakbuk volume was up only slightly, with 1.2 percent more being loaded and unloaded from January to June. The total amount for the first six months was 5.5 million metric tons.
Breakbulk volume is 43.6 percent less than in 2007 and 34.8 percent less than in 2008. Conventional/breakbulk remains an area of concern, as the decline cannot be explained entirely by the state of the economy.
Breakbulk volume is 43.6 percent less than in 2007 and 34.8 percent less than in 2008. Conventional/breakbulk remains an area of concern, as the decline cannot be explained entirely by the state of the economy.
The volume of steel products was slightly down, by 2.4 percent, to 2.9 million metric tons.
The port’s roll-on, roll-off cargo expanded by 13.4 percent to 1.8 million metric tons. The volume of cars handled rose sharply, by 29.3 percent, with 442,267 vehicles being loaded or unloaded during the first six months.
The port’s roll-on, roll-off cargo expanded by 13.4 percent to 1.8 million metric tons. The volume of cars handled rose sharply, by 29.3 percent, with 442,267 vehicles being loaded or unloaded during the first six months.
The number of ocean-going ships calling at the port was up by 4.5 percent, to 7,214 vessels.