Antwerp - In the first nine months of 2026, Port of Antwerp-Bruges handled 200.9 million tonnes of goods, 0.8% less than in the same period last year. After a first half of the year marked by consecutive operational disruptions, container throughput recovered strongly: the third quarter was the best since late 2020. At the same time, geopolitical tensions, trade barriers, and the weak European manufacturing industry continue to weigh on various cargo flows.
After a first half of the year in which shipping was affected by adverse weather conditions, strikes in the nautical chain, and an oil spill in the Deurganck Dock, the start of the third quarter was also disrupted. In mid-July, a damaged container carrying hydrofluoric acid disrupted operations in the Deurganck Dock.
From August onwards, the trend reversed. The subsequent strong volumes led to the best performance since the fourth quarter of 2020. As a result, container throughput grew by 1.2% in TEUs over the first nine months. In tonnage, volume remained 0.6% below last year's level. The growth was concentrated in empty containers (+11.7% in TEUs), while the throughput of full containers dropped by 1.3%. Rising import volumes and pressure on exports are increasing the imbalance and the need to reposition empty containers, particularly towards Asia.
The ongoing conflict in the Middle East also continues to impact cargo flows. Since March, no LNG cargoes from Qatar have arrived, and since mid-May, diesel supplies from the Middle East have also come to a halt. Container shipping lines adjusted their sailing schedules and developed alternative routes to serve the region. As a result, container exports to the Persian Gulf fell by 70%, while those to other parts of the Middle East nearly quintupled.
Rob Smeets, CEO Port of Antwerp-Bruges: “The strong recovery of container throughput in the third quarter shows the resilience of Port of Antwerp-Bruges. Simultaneously, the operational context remains challenging. Trade barriers, high energy prices, and a weak European industrial sector are putting pressure on several cargo flows. That is why we need to keep investing in efficiency, capacity, and competitiveness so that Port of Antwerp-Bruges can continue to serve as a logistical and industrial powerhouse in a volatile context.”
Johan Klaps, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Port of Antwerp-Bruges and Port Alderman for Antwerp: “Geopolitical tensions and trade conflicts are increasingly dictating global cargo flows. This makes it essential to diversify our trade relations and tap into new growth markets. India presents significant potential in this regard. The EU free trade agreement has the potential to deliver a further impetus to trade volumes. Port of Antwerp-Bruges intends to leverage these opportunities to reinforce its position as a primary gateway connecting India and Europe.”
Dirk De fauw, Vice President of the Board of Directors of Port of Antwerp-Bruges and Mayor of Bruges: “These results highlight the extent to which global developments resonate directly within our ports. Energy streams are realigning, trade routes are adapting, and markets are swiftly evolving. The key strength of Port of Antwerp-Bruges is that, operating from both Antwerp and Zeebrugge, we can accommodate a broad spectrum of cargo flows. This complementarity ensures our resilience in an ever-shifting global landscape.”
Quarterly figures Q3 2026
Liquid bulk remained under pressure and dropped again from June, with lower volumes of petroleum derivatives, chemicals, and LNG. Weak European industrial demand and high energy prices remain key challenges in this context.
Conventional general cargo throughput dropped by 16.6%, primarily due to the decline in iron and steel (-17.5%). European steel quotas, CBAM, high energy costs, and weak demand weigh on the market. By contrast, fruit and vegetables showed growth (+7.6%).
RoRo throughput grew by 5.5%, mainly due to strong growth in new cars (+9.3%), particularly from China and Japan. Cargo flows with Ireland and Scandinavia saw an increase, in contrast to falling volumes with the United Kingdom and the Iberian Peninsula. Dry bulk also recorded a 13% growth, mainly thanks to higher volumes of iron ore and other ores. Fertilisers, on the other hand, fell by 1.1%.
Maersk partners with L&T for its 1st planned Drydocking in India
Chennai: A.P. Moller - Maersk (Maersk) will undertake its first planned drydocking in India, with the Singapore-flagged container vessel Maersk Chattogram scheduled to enter L&T Shipbuilding’s Kattupalli Shipyard near Chennai, in October 2026.
The activity marks the first operational milestone arising from the Memorandum of Understanding signed by Maersk and Larsen & Toubro (L&T) during India Maritime Week 2025. The MoU established a framework for exploring collaboration in shipbuilding, ship repair and exchange of knowledge on global standards and building world-class capability, capacity and resources.
Maersk Chattogram is expected to arrive at the shipyard on 20 October 2026, subject to operational and weather conditions. The planned drydocking forms part of the vessel's normal lifecycle and will include its scheduled special survey, along with maintenance and overhaul work covering the hull and structure, machinery, equipment and propulsion systems.
Drydocking is a planned process in which a vessel is taken into a dry dock, enabling extensive inspection, maintenance and repair areas of the vessel that are ordinarily submerged alongside work on machinery, equipment and propulsion system. It is essential to maintaining a vessel's safety, seaworthiness, operational performance and reliability for the next five years. Maersk Chattogram will undergo a specialised lift out operation using India’s largest Shiplift system at L&T Shipbuilding, Kattupalli, to lift the vessel out of water.
“The drydocking of Maersk Chattogram in India is a meaningful step towards turning our collaboration with L&T into action. We are aligning Maersk's global technical requirements with India's growing shipyard, supplier and maritime-service capabilities. We believe India has strong potential to become an increasingly important global hub for maritime sector and we are committed to supporting that development through long-term partnerships, operational experience and knowledge sharing,” says Dinesh Kumar Balraj, Head of Fleet Operations East, A.P. Moller – Maersk.
“The docking of Maersk Chattogram at Kattupalli advances our strategic partnership under the MoU and Framework Agreement signed between our organisations. Combining Maersk’s global maritime expertise with L&T’s shipbuilding capabilities, we aim to strengthen domestic capabilities and supply chains across the shipbuilding ecosystem. We share Maersk’s commitment to India’s maritime development and seek to play a key role in establishing India as a globally competitive maritime hub,” says, ArunRamchandani, Head – Precision Engineering & Systems, L&T.
The project is expected to bring together Maersk's fleet and technical teams with L&T, Indian subcontractors, suppliers and maritime service providers. The partners will focus on safe, efficient execution, quality delivery and the exchange of operational knowledge throughout the docking.
The activity reinforces Maersk's broader commitment to India's maritime development and its belief in the country's engineering talent, infrastructure and potential across the maritime value chain. It also reflects the long-term intent of the Maersk-L&T partnership, moving from an exploratory framework to a concrete vessel-maintenance project in India.
((Source – PR))
SLPA to develop new Logistics Hub at Port of Colombo following decision not to proceed with earlier JV
COLOMBO: The Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) has decided to pursue the development of a new logistics hub within the COLOMBO through a Public–Private Partnership (PPP) following the decision of the shareholders not to proceed with the previously proposed joint venture involving China Merchants Port Holdings Company Limited, through its fully owned Subsidiary and Access Engineering PLC.
The earlier project was intended to establish a modern logistics facility within the Port of Colombo through a joint venture company known as South Asia Commercial and Logistics Hub (SACLH). The company was established in 2023 with the participation of three shareholders: China Merchants Port Holdings Company Limited, through its fully owned Subsidiary holding a 70% equity stake, and the Sri Lanka Ports Authority and Access Engineering PLC, each holding a 15% equity stake.
The proposed project envisaged a total investment of approximately USD 280 million, with a planned floor capacity of approximately 150,000 square meters. The initiative was originally conceived to enhance the logistics capabilities of the Port of Colombo and strengthen its position as a major regional maritime and logistics centre.
However, following an assessment of the prevailing external circumstances, commercial considerations and the interests of the respective shareholders, a decision was reached not to proceed with the proposed joint venture.
Disclaimer: This information has been collected through secondary research and Daily Shipping Times is not responsible for any errors in the same.
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