Port of Antwerp may equal 2000 record /17 Jan 2002/

In spite of the global economic recession, the Port of Antwerp will close the year 2001 with a particularly positive balance. The latest state of affairs makes it likely that last year’s record may be equalled.

In 2001, the Port of Antwerp realized a total maritime cargo turnover of about 130 million tonnes. Therefore, it is already certain that the year 2001 will be the second best year in the port’s history. The loading and unloading operations of the last few days of this year will determine whether last year’s record (130.5 million tonnes) may even be improved.

Continued growth in container traffic

As far as the port’s individual traffics are concerned, mainly the growth in container traffic is striking. In 2001, container traffic rose by 3 to 4%. In tonnages this means that the end result will be over 46 million tonnes. The TEU result will be just over 4.2 million. Over the last three years this means a 30% increase in container traffic. The growth in 2001 is remarkable because it is not systematic in all Western European ports.

Growth in ro/ro-traffic, drop in conventional cargo traffic

After the spectacular growth (20.5%) in general non-containerised cargo in 2000, these traffics decreased by 12% in comparison with those of last year. As far as all major product groups, including steel, fruit and forest products, are concerned, less non-containerised cargo has been transhipped. The port’s ro/ro traffic may, however, confirm and probably slightly improve last year’s record. We estimate the end result for 2001 at 6 million tonnes. Car traffic increased with almost 5% to 800.000 units.

Status quo for bulk traffics

The total transhipment of bulk goods stayed at last year’s level. The transhipment of dry bulk goods decreased (-1.6%), mainly as a result of strongly declined transhipment volumes of grain and fertilizers in bulk. The volume of liquid bulk goods grew almost 1.5% as a result of increasing arrivals and a decreasing volume of goods leaving the port.

Source: Port of Antwerp, Port Authority