THE Port of Antwerp's container volume fell 18.5 per cent to 3.6 million TEU in the first half, the port authority announced.
"We suspect that this trend will continue for the remainder of the year," said port authority chief Eddy Bruyninckx. "At the moment there are not enough signs for an economic revival in the second half of 2009."
Bulk freight shrunk 18.5 per cent in the first half to 27.1 million tonnes, said the port authority, adding that this was due to the decline in dry bulk, which fell 43.6 per cent to 7.9 million tonnes, with ore down 61.5 per cent, coal down 42.8 per cent and fertilisers falling 48.9 per cent.
The volume of liquid bulk, on the other hand, remained more or less stable at 19.2 million tonnes. The volume of oil derivatives rose by around five per cent, although crude oil and chemicals were down 10 per cent year-on-year, a statement from port authority said.
The volume of conventional/breakbulk was also down, with 35.5 per cent less being loaded and unloaded from January to June. The total amount for the first six months was 5.4 million tonnes.
In the ro/ro sector, the Port of Antwerp experienced a contraction of 33.1 per cent to 1.6 million tonnes. The number of cars also fell 32.5 per cent, with 341,997 vehicles being loaded or unloaded.
"We suspect that this trend will continue for the remainder of the year," said port authority chief Eddy Bruyninckx. "At the moment there are not enough signs for an economic revival in the second half of 2009."
Bulk freight shrunk 18.5 per cent in the first half to 27.1 million tonnes, said the port authority, adding that this was due to the decline in dry bulk, which fell 43.6 per cent to 7.9 million tonnes, with ore down 61.5 per cent, coal down 42.8 per cent and fertilisers falling 48.9 per cent.
The volume of liquid bulk, on the other hand, remained more or less stable at 19.2 million tonnes. The volume of oil derivatives rose by around five per cent, although crude oil and chemicals were down 10 per cent year-on-year, a statement from port authority said.
The volume of conventional/breakbulk was also down, with 35.5 per cent less being loaded and unloaded from January to June. The total amount for the first six months was 5.4 million tonnes.
In the ro/ro sector, the Port of Antwerp experienced a contraction of 33.1 per cent to 1.6 million tonnes. The number of cars also fell 32.5 per cent, with 341,997 vehicles being loaded or unloaded.