The Port of Antwerp has registered growth in all segments during the January – September period, especially in reefer containers, despite the remaining operational challenges, caused by Covid-19 and global port congestion.
Container traffic has been elevated by 2.8% over the first nine months of the year, with the Belgian port handling more than 9.1 million TEU. At the same time, the port’s reefer sector noted a year-on-year increase of 3.6%, while last year, the port exceeded the worldwide growth in the reefer market by transferring 1 million TEU of refrigerated boxes.
“Despite the difficult circumstances, we already notched up growth in the reefer segment during last year, thanks to our strengths in terms of location and service,” stated CEO of Port of Antwerp, Jacques Vandermeiren, who went on to point out that this year, the port is reaffirming and strengthening its market position.
Except for the port’s position, the increased volume of reefer containers in Antwerp is also driven by the increased demand, while European consumers are attaching increasing importance to healthy food, and reefers are containing fresh products such as fruits, vegetables, meat and fish, as well as pharmaceutical products, according to a statement.
Additionally, in the period January-September, 10,608 seagoing vessels called at Antwerp, representing a rise of 3.6% compared to the corresponding period of the previous year.
Annick De Ridder, port alderwoman, commented, “Despite continuing operational challenges such as disrupted container liner shipping, pressure on the terminals due to the pandemic and delays, we continue to record growth in all segments.”
