FOLLOWING a huge downward spiral in 2020 due to the pandemic and global trade wars, breakbulk volumes grew explosively in 2021 at the Port of Antwerp, boosted by a sharp increase in steel import volumes, reports AJOT.
There was a significant rise in project cargo shipments, thanks to ongoing projects around renewable energy and the construction of chemical plants.
In 2021, breakbulk volumes reached 1 million tonnes per month, totalling 11.5 million tonnes for the whole year (excluding roro). This marks no less than a 74 per cent rise in figures compared to 2020, surpassing the previous record growth of 2012. On top of that, Port of Antwerp reclaimed its market leadership in Europe, confirming its home port position for breakbulk.
Ann De Smet, key account manager at Port of Antwerp explains: 'One of the main drivers for this growth was the lack of container capacity. In 2021, we saw a huge increase in general cargo given the pressure on the container market. But alongside this decontainerisation trend, the global economic recovery is also pushing steel figures upwards, and transport of project cargo is boosted by EU measures to meet climate ambitions.'
The Fit for 55 package and other measures taken by the EU to evolve to carbon neutrality is pushing European industry to further transit to carbon neutral sources of energy and hence driving refurbishment of plants and investment in renewable energy - marked by significant government investments in this sector. Port of Antwerp is home to a huge chemical cluster and expects further developments in this respect.
The port's geographical location helps to secure the transport of project cargo to and from Europe, such as cargo destined for energy plants in Germany or northern France via road or inland waterways.
Wind turbine components heading for France for instance, have become a regular transport in Antwerp. Several specialised service providers are involved to carefully handle blades, hubs, nacelles, motors and tower sections.
'Project cargo is highly relevant in the Port of Antwerp, in view of the expected growth potential, high employment rate and evolution of many service providers in the port with top class expertise' says Ms De Smet. 'I believe that this sector will continue to claim its spot in the global supply chain and adds diversification in a port platform. It will however be a big challenge to attract and inspire young people to join the sector. In breakbulk, every shipment is unique and requires a lot of dedication and care.'
Annick De Ridder, chairman of the board of directors of Port of Antwerp and Antwerp Alderman responsible for the port, commented: 'The port of Antwerp is the European breakbulk home port and has been so for many centuries. We therefore have all the necessary experience, grafted on the highest possible quality and flexibility, to provide the right solutions tailored to the customer. The record figures for the past year are the best proof of this, with tribute to the entire Antwerp breakbulk community!'
Currently, breakbulk service providers are doing all they can to cope with any operational disruptions to be able to service the industry through its growth. Many of them are also investing in the expansion of capacity, dedicated warehouses with reinforced floors, heavy lift cranes and intermodal linked terminals. Terminal operator PSA Breakbulk plans to invest EUR11 million (US$12.25 million) for a new heavy cargo terminal along the Churchill dock, while packing specialist Deufol is extending its warehousing capacity in Antwerp for the seaworthy packaging of industrial loads.
Ms De Smet is optimistic about what the future has in store: 'The aftermath of the pandemic will continue to be felt - global supply chain challenges, terminal capacity and labour shortages are likely to keep us busy for much of 2022. Unreliable supply chains and rising energy prices are making the project market very volatile and hard to predict. But strengthened by last year?
There was a significant rise in project cargo shipments, thanks to ongoing projects around renewable energy and the construction of chemical plants.
In 2021, breakbulk volumes reached 1 million tonnes per month, totalling 11.5 million tonnes for the whole year (excluding roro). This marks no less than a 74 per cent rise in figures compared to 2020, surpassing the previous record growth of 2012. On top of that, Port of Antwerp reclaimed its market leadership in Europe, confirming its home port position for breakbulk.
Ann De Smet, key account manager at Port of Antwerp explains: 'One of the main drivers for this growth was the lack of container capacity. In 2021, we saw a huge increase in general cargo given the pressure on the container market. But alongside this decontainerisation trend, the global economic recovery is also pushing steel figures upwards, and transport of project cargo is boosted by EU measures to meet climate ambitions.'
The Fit for 55 package and other measures taken by the EU to evolve to carbon neutrality is pushing European industry to further transit to carbon neutral sources of energy and hence driving refurbishment of plants and investment in renewable energy - marked by significant government investments in this sector. Port of Antwerp is home to a huge chemical cluster and expects further developments in this respect.
The port's geographical location helps to secure the transport of project cargo to and from Europe, such as cargo destined for energy plants in Germany or northern France via road or inland waterways.
Wind turbine components heading for France for instance, have become a regular transport in Antwerp. Several specialised service providers are involved to carefully handle blades, hubs, nacelles, motors and tower sections.
'Project cargo is highly relevant in the Port of Antwerp, in view of the expected growth potential, high employment rate and evolution of many service providers in the port with top class expertise' says Ms De Smet. 'I believe that this sector will continue to claim its spot in the global supply chain and adds diversification in a port platform. It will however be a big challenge to attract and inspire young people to join the sector. In breakbulk, every shipment is unique and requires a lot of dedication and care.'
Annick De Ridder, chairman of the board of directors of Port of Antwerp and Antwerp Alderman responsible for the port, commented: 'The port of Antwerp is the European breakbulk home port and has been so for many centuries. We therefore have all the necessary experience, grafted on the highest possible quality and flexibility, to provide the right solutions tailored to the customer. The record figures for the past year are the best proof of this, with tribute to the entire Antwerp breakbulk community!'
Currently, breakbulk service providers are doing all they can to cope with any operational disruptions to be able to service the industry through its growth. Many of them are also investing in the expansion of capacity, dedicated warehouses with reinforced floors, heavy lift cranes and intermodal linked terminals. Terminal operator PSA Breakbulk plans to invest EUR11 million (US$12.25 million) for a new heavy cargo terminal along the Churchill dock, while packing specialist Deufol is extending its warehousing capacity in Antwerp for the seaworthy packaging of industrial loads.
Ms De Smet is optimistic about what the future has in store: 'The aftermath of the pandemic will continue to be felt - global supply chain challenges, terminal capacity and labour shortages are likely to keep us busy for much of 2022. Unreliable supply chains and rising energy prices are making the project market very volatile and hard to predict. But strengthened by last year?
