The UK became the main trading partner of the North Sea Port for first time last year. In Ghent hopes are hight the port has now put the plummet in trade triggered by Brexit well and truly behind it!
The North Sea Port groups the Belgian inland port of Ghent and the Dutch ports of Terneuzen and Flushing. In 2024 UK companies provided this port with most business. It’s quite remarkable because four years ago, Brexit, the UK’s exit from the European Union, led to a reduction in trade with the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. ‘That trade is now recovering gives us hope for the future,’ says North Sea Port's Maarten Den Dekker.
The UK was responsible for 6 million tonnes of freight traffic at the North Sea Port in 2024. That is an increase of 25 per cent on the year. US traffic experienced a decline for the second year in a row and the world's economic giant was only ranked 2nd representing freight traffic worth 5.1 million tonnes. Sweden completed the top 3.
Russia still features in the top 10 too. For many years Russia was the North Sea Port's biggest trading partner. Since the further invasion of Ukraine and subsequent sanctions, trade with Russia has decreased drastically. ‘The only goods traded now are those in critical chains such as food supplies.’
Cautious optimism in Ghent
The merger of the ports of Ghent, Flushing and Terneuzen, saw seaborne cargo traffic rise slightly (+0.7 per cent) in 2024. This is good news, as the port experienced a serious dip in 2023. Trans-shipment onto inland navigation to complete a journey or vice versa also saw an increase (+ 4.4 per cent), almost reaching 2022 levels.
Maarten Den Dekker is cautiously optimistic: ‘These figures are in line with those of other European ports. Moreover, this confirms our position as a true bulk port. Especially in dry bulk we see sound growth. Liquid bulk, on the other hand, is declining, which is mainly due to flagging European industry. Hopefully we will see a quick recovery.’
The increase in traffic is creating optimism at the North Sea Port: ‘This slight increase offers continuity and a sound footing for the coming year, a year in which companies continue to see a future at the North Sea Port and are ready to invest heavily, given an expected land release of more than 30 hectares’ Den Dekker notes.