The Port of Rotterdam continues to strengthen its position, overtaking its main competitor, the Antwerp-Bruges port complex. In the third quarter of 2025, Rotterdam’s container throughput reached 3.7 million TEU, 120,000 TEU more than the previous year and approximately 300,000 TEU higher than Antwerp. However, in terms of tonnes, Antwerp-Bruges still maintains its lead.
Container cargo throughput in Rotterdam amounted to 34 million tonnes, compared to 36.5 million tonnes in Antwerp. Total port throughput from July to September reached 109 million tonnes, slightly higher than last year. All major cargo categories showed positive growth.
In the dry bulk cargo segment, ferrous metal throughput decreased by 18%, while coal volumes increased by 42%, and agricultural bulk cargo by 15%. In the liquid bulk segment, transshipment of petroleum products decreased, but volumes of oil and LNG increased. General cargo grew by 1.3%, confirming a steady recovery in cargo flows through Europe’s largest port.