The United Kingdom became the leading trading partner of the North Sea Port in 2024, with a 26% increase in cargo traffic.
The North Sea Port stretches 60 kilometres across Belgium and the Netherlands, from Vlissingen on the Dutch coast to the Port of Ghent in Belgium. Some 550 companies operate in the area, including heavyweights ArcelorMittal and Volvo on the Flemish side. In total, around 102,000 people are employed in the area.
A total of six million tonnes of goods were exchanged between the UK and the North Sea Port last year, which is 1.2 million tonnes more than in 2023. The effects of Brexit on the port's activity appear to be fading.
Overall, maritime cargo traffic at the North Sea Port increased by 0.7% to reach 66.3 million tonnes. Transport via inland waterways grew by 4.4%.
The growth in maritime transport is mainly due to an increase in dry bulk cargo traffic. The transport of liquid bulk products saw a slight decline.
The United States, previously the main trading partner of the North Sea Port, now ranks second, with a 6% decrease in cargo throughput. Sweden has climbed to third place with an 8% growth in traffic, amounting to 4.3 million tonnes of goods.
Total trade with Europe accounts for 58% of the port's cargo traffic, while North America represents 14% of the flow.
The port continues to invest and plans to allocate over 30 hectares of land in the coming year.
