The port of Antwerp handled an estimated 183.8 million tonnes of freight in 2012. This represents a contraction of 1.8% compared with 2011 when 187.2 million tonnes was handled. All in all, these figures show that Antwerp has been only mildly affected by the recession in the shipping industry and in the general economy. The figures were also influenced this year by the temporary shutdown of Belgian Refining Corporation (BRC), which depressed the growth figures for liquid bulk. The definitive figures for freight volumes will be available at the end of January.
The container volume remained at more or less the same level as in 2011, at 8,629,992 TEU. Expressed in tonnes this represents a drop of 1.1%, to 103,965,023 tonnes. The ro/ro volume for its part expanded by 13.6% to 4,819,539 tonnes. The number of cars handled in 2012 came to 1,233,159, an increase of 14.1%.
The bulk freight volume on the other hand fell by 1.3% to 64,233,461 tonnes. This was mainly due to the temporary closure of the BRC refinery, which resulted in the volume of liquid bulk contracting by 1.7% to 45,224,048 tonnes. Without the closure there would have been a new record in this category. The volume of dry bulk is expected to come to 19,009,413 tonnes, more or less the same as in 2011.
In the field of conventional breakbulk the port of Antwerp suffered a contraction. Last year 10,804,408 tonnes of freight was loaded or unloaded, 14.9% less than the previous year. This result was expected and was mainly due to the lower volume of steel, which in turn reflects current market conditions. Despite this Antwerp managed to further consolidate its position as the European steel port in the past few months. Various steel customers were won back from other ports (Rautaruukki and Stemcor), while new ones were acquired (Brown McFarlane, Mechel, Erdemir etc.).
The number of seagoing ships calling at Antwerp was down by 4.2% compared with 2011, to 14,593. On the other hand the number of ultra-large container carriers of more than 10,000 TEU rose from 141 in 2011 to 165 in 2012, showing that the port is absolutely reaping the benefits of the deepening of the river Scheldt.
The number of jobs worked by the dockers came to 1,460,469 during the first 11 months of the year. This represents an increase of 0.8% compared with the same period last year.
From the annual study by the National Bank of Belgium concerning the economic importance of the Belgian ports, it emerges that the port of Antwerp generated 19.2 billion euros of added value in 2010. This is nearly twice as much as all three other Belgian seaports together: Ghent, Zeebrugge and Ostend. The port of Antwerp provided work for 146,000 people in 2010, or 60% of total employment in the Flemish ports. 71% of all freight passing through the Flemish seaports is handled in Antwerp. All this makes the port of Antwerp a vital engine of the Flemish economy.
The bulk freight volume on the other hand fell by 1.3% to 64,233,461 tonnes. This was mainly due to the temporary closure of the BRC refinery, which resulted in the volume of liquid bulk contracting by 1.7% to 45,224,048 tonnes. Without the closure there would have been a new record in this category. The volume of dry bulk is expected to come to 19,009,413 tonnes, more or less the same as in 2011.
In the field of conventional breakbulk the port of Antwerp suffered a contraction. Last year 10,804,408 tonnes of freight was loaded or unloaded, 14.9% less than the previous year. This result was expected and was mainly due to the lower volume of steel, which in turn reflects current market conditions. Despite this Antwerp managed to further consolidate its position as the European steel port in the past few months. Various steel customers were won back from other ports (Rautaruukki and Stemcor), while new ones were acquired (Brown McFarlane, Mechel, Erdemir etc.).
The number of seagoing ships calling at Antwerp was down by 4.2% compared with 2011, to 14,593. On the other hand the number of ultra-large container carriers of more than 10,000 TEU rose from 141 in 2011 to 165 in 2012, showing that the port is absolutely reaping the benefits of the deepening of the river Scheldt.
The number of jobs worked by the dockers came to 1,460,469 during the first 11 months of the year. This represents an increase of 0.8% compared with the same period last year.
From the annual study by the National Bank of Belgium concerning the economic importance of the Belgian ports, it emerges that the port of Antwerp generated 19.2 billion euros of added value in 2010. This is nearly twice as much as all three other Belgian seaports together: Ghent, Zeebrugge and Ostend. The port of Antwerp provided work for 146,000 people in 2010, or 60% of total employment in the Flemish ports. 71% of all freight passing through the Flemish seaports is handled in Antwerp. All this makes the port of Antwerp a vital engine of the Flemish economy.
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