Best quarter yet for PoA

The port of Antwerp experienced an excellent first quarter in 2018, with a freight volume of 58,328,678 tonnes, an increase of 7.1% on the same period last year. The total volume is a result of all freight categories except for conventional breakbulk. The main driver is container freight which enjoyed very strong growth of 9.5% compared with the first three months of 2017.

Liquid bulk experienced an increase of 4.6%, to 18,552,332 tonnes. The strongest growth was experienced by chemicals (up 6.8%), but oil derivatives as the largest segment also performed well once more (up 4.6%). These growth figures once again emphasise Antwerp’s ideal location for European distribution, with the phenomenal growth in tank storage and the general confidence in its chemical and petrochemical cluster.

The impact of Brexit on UK volumes so far remains limited, as the first quarter closed with growth of 4%, probably due to the weaker pound. The UK remains the third-largest trading partner for the port of Antwerp. The Port Authority is therefore watching the situation very closely, and during the recent visit by the British Secretary of State Robin Walker it announced that it seeks to appoint a full-time representative in the UK. 

For more information, please visit: www.portofantwerp.com

23rd April 2018