You are using an outdated browser For a better experience using this site, please upgrade to a modern web browser. Subscribe Get Daily Email Subscribe --> Contact Us Sign in Home News & Features Compliance Costs Bunker Prices Bunker Intelligence EMEA News Latest Features World Americas EMEA Asia/Pacific Home News & Features EMEA Port of Antwerp-Bruges Cargo Volumes Fall 2.4% in First Half 2026 Port of Antwerp-Bruges Cargo Volumes Fall 2.4% in First Half 2026 by Ship & Bunker News Team Monday July 20, 2026 Tweet Follow @shipandbunker Middle East tensions weighed on cargo throughput at the port. Image Credit: Port of Antwerp-Bruges Port of Antwerp-Bruges handled 133.9 million tonnes of cargo in the first half of 2026 , down 2.4% from a year earlier as weaker container volumes weighed on overall throughput. Container traffic fell 1.5% in TEU terms and 3.6% by tonnage, with exports of full containers down 5.7% , the Port of Antwerp-Bruges said in an emailed statement on Thursday . The port authority said strikes in March and June , along with an oil spill at Deurganck Dock in April , disrupted operations and together cost an estimated 260,000 TEU in lost throughput. Middle East tensions also affected trade. Imports from the Persian Gulf dropped 57% , while LNG shipments from Qatar fell 66% after the final cargo arrived in March . Trade with the US also weakened, with container exports down 16.5% and imports falling 10.4% . Despite the decline in container volumes, other cargo segments performed better. RoRo traffic increased 5.9% , driven by stronger vehicle and unaccompanied cargo volumes, while dry bulk rose 2.2% . The port said it maintained its container market share and continues to invest in additional capacity and infrastructure. Ship & Bunker News Team To contact the editor responsible for this story email us at [email protected] Also in the News Dry Bulk Carrier Arrested in Singapore The ship last visited Salalah in Yemen before coming