There are positive figures also in the conventional breakbulk and dry bulk sectors, although overall the totals for both segments are negative. The continuing trend towards containerisation has depressed the volumes of among other things fruit and paper. Meanwhile the volumes of coal and ore have fallen drastically in all North-West European ports.
The volume of dry bulk overall continues to decline: after four quarters the figure stood at approximately 12. 44 million t, a fall of 9.8% compared with the same period in 2015. More specifically the volumes of ore, fertilizers, minerals and coal all showed negative figures.
The number of seagoing ships calling at Antwerp rose by 0.7% in 2016, and by 31 December a total of 14 523 ships are expected to have visited Antwerp. Apart from the increased number of ships the growth in gross tonnage is nothing less than spectacular, up 9.5% to 402 665 000 GT.
