The Port of Rotterdam retained its position as Europe’s largest port in Q1 2025, although the combined ports of Antwerp-Bruges handled more containers.

Rotterdam’s total volumes dropped by 5.8% to 103.7 million tons compared to 110.1 million tons in the same period in 2024 primarily due to reduced activity in tank and dry bulk. Even though container throughput rose 2.2% year-over-year to 3.3 million TEU, container tonnage declined by -1.1%, driven by an – 8% drop in full container exports. Port officials attributed the decline to weak European industrial demand and a reduction in transshipment volumes.

Antwerp-Bruges, traditionally Europe’s second busiest port, increased its market share in the Hamburg-Le Havre range to 30.5% and climbed one position to 14th in the global ranking of largest ports. Antwerp-Bruges managed 3.4 million containers while Rotterdam handled 3.3 million containers, but their total container volumes only reached 38.4 million tons, significantly lower than Rotterdam’s 103.7 million tons.

Executives from both Rotterdam and Antwerp-Bruges are anticipating a tough period in the coming months, citing ongoing global container market disruptions due to recent trade policy developments.

Source: ShippingWatch