LNG Volume Handled in Port of Zeebrugge to Reach 43 Mt in 2013

A revival in the volumes to and from the United Kingdom, a rise in the number of new vehicles, a status quo in containers and a fall in the LNG volume mark the past year in Zeebrugge. The total volume handled in the port of Zeebrugge will nearly reach 43 million tonnes, a number slightly smaller than the 43,5 million of last year.

The figures for the roll-on/roll off head towards a status quo: 12,5 million tonnes. After a difficult 2012, the traffic to and from the UK significantly rose as of the second half of 2013. The Scandinavian paper volumes fell back, however.

The number of new vehicles handled in Zeebrugge grew with 10 percent, to a total of 1,92 million. Zeebrugge wins marketshare in this sector. While new car sales stagnate in the European market, Zeebrugge sees her shortsea volumes go up.

Container volumes show a slight improvement with 20,5 million tonnes or 2 million TEU. Fewer containers were shipped in the first half of the year, due to the slow economic growth. The second year half showed improvement, especially thanks to new services in Zeebrugge like Evergreen/Hanjin and CMA CGM FEMEX 1.

Break bulk closes a record year with 1,7 million tonnes and a rise of 23 percent.

Liquid bulk volumes are down this year, due to the liquid natural gas volume that fell down 21 percent in 2013. 58 LNG ships resulted in a volume of 3,3 million tonnes of liquid gas. The low supply of LNG is a consequence of the high demand for LNG on the Asian energy market. The negative figure for liquid natural gas presses on the total volume handled in the port of Zeebrugge, which has done quite well overall.

Solid bulk (sand and grint) goes down 20 percent to 1,3 million tonnes. The main reason is the current economic crisis in the building sector, where more and more large projects are being postponed.

As expected, 2013 was a record year in cruise calls. This year, 108 cruise ships brought over 447.000 cruise passengers to Zeebrugge. In 2014, the port already expects 114 cruise ships.

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LNG World News Staff, December 24, 2013; Image: Port of Zeebrugge