Antwerp shakes off recession as volumes top 2008 record levels

THE Port of Antwerp`s first quarter throughput increased 7.9 per cent year on year to a record 2.17 million TEU against the 2.01 million TEU handled in the same quarter last year.

Overall, Antwerp handled 47,374,451 tonnes in the first quarter, up 12.7 per cent from a year ago. Total volume, including containers and liquid bulk came to more than in the first quarter of pre-down turn record year of 2008.


"The port of Antwerp has clearly shaken off the recession, even if the volumes of conventional/breakbulk and dry bulk continue to lag," said Antwerp Port Authority CEO Eddy Bruyninckx.