The war in Ukraine, the conflict in Israel and Palestine, the escalating situation in the Red Sea, and the soaring inflation in Europe, caused nearly all sector figures to fall in 2023 compared to 2022.
However, the Port of Antwerp-Bruges managed to increase its market share by 1% in 2023 compared to 2022, the operator announced at a press conference on Wednesday.
2023 was not a “back to normal” year, CEO Jacques Vandermeiren admitted at the press conference.
Some of the key takeaways from the conference are as follows:
- container handling in 2023 was down 6.3% in tonnes and 7.2% in TEUs compared to 2022,
- liquid bulk throughput estimated to have fallen by 2.1% in 2023,
- chemical throughput fell by 8.1%,
- the volume of biofuels decreased and the volume of LNG also remained below the level of 2022,
- although the volume of conventional breakbulk has normalised compared to pre-covid levels, total throughput is still down by 18.8% compared to 2022,
- steel transhipment fell by 16.9% and exports (-15.5%),
- total ro-ro traffic fell by 2.1%,
- handling of unaccompanied goods (excluding containers) carried by ro-ro vessels decreased by 1.5%
- transport to and from the United Kingdom, which accounts for more than half of the segment, fell by 4.9%,
- dry bulk fell by 13.9% compared to the previous year.
However, there were also some positive figures; 3.56 million new cars were delivered in 2023, an increase of 9.0% compared to the previous year. The other positive development is the 17.9% increase in the volume of goods transported to and from Ireland.
“We have seen for some time that 2023 would not be a good year. As a port, we are therefore at the centre of economic and geopolitical challenges. But with a strong strategy, the merger and an efficiency drive, we have organised ourselves in good time and are even gaining market share in the Hamburg-Le Havre range,” said Vandermeiren.
Vandermeiren added:
“Especially in turbulent waters, we must stay focused and sail in the right direction, with our strategic plan as our compass. And we will continue to do so in 2024 so that we remain attractive to investors and can continue to play our strategic pioneering role in the future. Legal certainty is essential. We, therefore, expect the government to quickly provide clarity on a workable licensing framework and the right conditions so that we can continue to function as a company and continue to attract investment as a top platform.”
2.9 billion investment programme over 10 years announced
To increase sustainable growth, the port also announced an investment programme of €2.9 billion over the next ten years, including new infrastructure such as a quay wall for the Europa terminal, the Royers lock, and residual land on the Left Bank.
To meet climate targets, the port will continue to promote the circular economy with the implementation of the Antwerp North Heat Network project. The first heat delivery will take place soon and further development of the NextGen district is planned for this year.
And finally, to meet the significant demand for renewable energy, green energy will be imported, with hydrogen as a key element. The first bunkering of hydrogen and hydrogen carriers such as methanol will take place this year.