North Sea port continues to grow despite US tariffs
Despite the trade war with the United States, the North Sea Port continues to grow. Trade with the US increased by more than 10 per cent in the first quarter of 2025, according to the port's latest results.
The port recorded an increase of almost 12 per cent in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period last year, partly due to a slight increase in exports.
Trade with the UK is also growing strongly in the Dutch-Flemish port, up almost 10 per cent compared to the same period last year. The UK became the North Sea Port's main trading partner in 2024 and is consolidating that position this year.
In contrast, trade with Russia has fallen sharply, down 32 per cent on the previous quarter. Due to the tightening of European sanctions, transhipments with Russia only reached 500,000 tonnes in the first three months of 2025, continuing last year's downward trend.
In terms of content, there was a clear shift in the nature of cargo flows. Liquid bulk increased by almost 8 per cent to 3.9 million tonnes, mainly due to an increase in propane and naphtha. Container transhipments also rose sharply by 33 per cent to 45,000 twenty-foot equivalent units or 500,000 tonnes.
At the same time, other segments showed a decline. Dry bulk - including sand, gravel and raw minerals - fell by almost 2 per cent to 8.7 million tonnes. Ores and agricultural products continued to grow. Break bulk handling fell by 1.5 per cent to 2.5 million tonnes.
Inland waterways also transported fewer goods. Total inland waterways transport amounted to 15.3 million tonnes, almost 4 per cent less than in the first quarter of 2024. In particular, the transport of dry bulk goods by inland waterways decreased, while the transport of liquid bulk goods increased.
#FlandersNewsService | © BELGA PHOTO JONAS ROOSENS
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