Belgian-Dutch North Sea Port books record year

The Belgian-Dutch port company North Sea Port has wrapped up a record year. The company moved 73.6 million tonnes of cargo by sea in 2022 and 64.5 million tonnes via inland navigation through Belgium's port of Ghent. The figures suggest that the war in Ukraine has not weighed on the company's results yet, although the port's management does not expect to set a new record in 2023.

North Sea Port has ranked among the top ten European ports since the seaports of Ghent (Belgium), Terneuzen and Vlissingen (The Netherlands) merged in 2018. "With a new record year since the merger five years ago, the companies are showing that this position is increasingly being strengthened," says North Sea Port CEO Daan Schalck. "Quite remarkable after Brexit, two Covid-19 years, the impact of the Ukraine-Russia war and the energy crisis." The merger was supposed to ensure solid growth figures. 

Despite international turmoil, the port company outperformed itself in 2022. Imports rose by 6 per cent and exports by 9 per cent compared to 2019, the company's previous record year. The import-export ratio stands at 72 - 28 per cent.

WATCH: A record year for North Sea Port

Despite increasing European sanctions against Russian resources, mainly fuels were traded in 2022. Trade in solid mineral fuels like coal increased in particular. Petroleum, metallurgical products, crude minerals and construction materials also saw increased trade. Business leaders in the port area have to find alternatives to fuels they used to source in Russia, and North Sea Port is guiding them in their search for new sellers.

"In these uncertain times, North Sea Port is booking its best year since the merger five years ago," says Schalck. "In part because of the build-up of additional stocks, in part because of the increasing supply of raw materials as the industry stays on track." Fertilisers, vehicles and machinery also peaked in 2022. Trade in agricultural products, food products, ores and metal residues remained steady. 

^{North Sea Port CEO Daan Schalck during a press conference about the company's 2022 results, 13 January 2023, Sas Van Gent, the Netherlands © BELGA PHOTO NICOLAS MAETERLINCK © BELGA VIDEO JONAS D'HOLLANDER}