Port of Antwerp-Bruges closes 2025 with a recordyear for the reefer segment. In total, the port handled 1.170.394 TEU of reefercontainers, the highest volume ever recorded. This represents an increase of 0.6% compared to 2024. The growth is primarily driven by a rise in importvolumes, which increased by 13.5%.

Export volumes of reefer containers remain largely stable (0.9%) and represent 35% of the total volume. Transshipment decreased slightly (-4.4%), due to changes in shipping schedules by carriers. In total, nearly one in ten containers arriving at the Port of Antwerp-Bruges is a fully operational reefer container. This underlines the importance of the Cold Chain to the port.

Conventional refrigerated transport shows a strong annual growth of 4.9%. While imports show a slight decline (-0.7%), exports of conventional refrigerated goods exhibit a significant increase (+52.5%). This reflects both strong market demand and a well-developed logistics network.

Approximately 90% of reefer imports consist of freshproducts, including fruit, vegetables, and meat/fish. The majority of these goods originate from Latin America. Panama recorded strong growth this year (+122.8%), while imports from South Africa also increased significantly (+36.2%). In terms of exports, the United States remains the most important destination. Exports of fruit and vegetables to Egypt rose sharply (+206.7%).Morocco shows remarkable growth, both as a country of origin and as a destination. In contrast, Ecuador recorded a decline in import volume (-21.8%),and exports to Russia decreased (-25.4%).

Exports from Europa, mainly Belgium, theNetherlands, Germany, and France, consist primarily of frozen products shippedto various destinations across multiple continents.

Port of Antwerp-Bruges’ Cold Chain approach washighlighted during Fruit Logistica in Berlin. The port was represented alongside eight co-exhibitors: BNFW, De Ridder-Vanpaemel, DPS, Eurofruitports, Fresh Connection, Gate4EU, Geodis, GTS. Their joint presence underscored thestrength of collaboration within the reefer cluster.

Tineke Van de Voorde, Key Account Manager Port of Antwerp-Bruges: “Our joint presence at Fruit Logistica shows that the success of our reefer traffic is truly a story of the entire port community. The fact that nearly one in ten containers arriving at our port is a fully operational reefer shows how crucial temperature-controlled logistics has become today, and how strong we stand together in this field.”
Source: Port of Antwerp-Bruges