"We already have a good performance. In 2016 Antwerp was one of the few ports in the Hamburg-Le Havre range to achieve growth. If after that we can once more produce a positive report then we have every reason for satisfaction," said port authority CEO Jacques Vandermeiren.
The volume of container freight rose 2.5 per cent in the first half to 61,288,264 tonnes. Ro/ro was strong too, rising 9.2 per cent to 2,563,466 tonnes, or up five per cent in terms of the 651,363 units that crossed the docks.
First half breakbulk expanded, up 13 per cent to 5,374,692 tonnes. Steel volume rose 17.6 per cent, driven by a surge from India, but with exports also up 8.8 per cent year on year.
Liquid bulk was up 1.8 per cent to 36,043,593 tonnes. Crude oil volume increased 34 per cent and chemicals were up one per cent, though oil derivatives were down 0.5 per cent.
Dry bulk was up 1.1 per cent with ores rising 27.7 per cent. Fertilisers were up 3.3 per cent. Only kaolin (down 10.3 per cent) and gravel (down 18.4 per cent) experienced declines.