Antwerp reiterates expansion wish following half-year growth

Belgium’s Port of Antwerp has reiterated the need for extra container capacity following an 8.3% increase in its half year results, handling 5,567,905 teu.

A 14.2% increase in European trade was a key driver in the growth, which itself was influenced by an increase in transhipment, but the port is now nearing its capacity.

Jacques Vandermeiren, Port of Antwerp Authority CEO, said: “During the past period we have well exceeded the optimum utilisation level for the terminals below the locks, which can have a negative impact on efficiency.