Antwerp reports 20% drop in first half volumes

Whilst the global economy has had a negative impact on the figures, in percentage terms they are somewhat distorted by the comparison with an exceptionally strong performance in the first half of 2008, due partially to the industrial dispute in Le Havre causing cargo to be diverted.

The figures are more or less in line with the expectations voiced by Port Authority CEO’ Eddy Bruyninckx when presenting the 2008 figures for 2008 earlier this year.

“We estimated volumes would be down by around 15%. In fact we expected the decline in conventional/breakbulk to be smaller, but the volumes have stabilised in the past few months, with freight remaining the same in the second quarter. We suspect this trend will continue for the remainder of the year as there are not enough signs for an economic revival in the second half of 2009,” he said.