Port of Brussels' comeback
The inland Port of Brussels has recovered quickly since the lifting of almost all sanitary restrictions. Freight traffic in the first half of the year rose by 11% to 3.65 million t of goods compared to the first six months of 2020 (3.28 million t in H1/2020).
Building materials recorded an increase of 15% compared to the first half of 2020. 75% of this improvement can be attributed to the import of sand. The upturn in the miscellaneous cargo segment, of which containers hold a 95% share, shows the importance of this type of container, the use of which is increasing worldwide.
Throughput of ores and scrap surged by 91% or 31,303 t, due to the growth in the volumes of metal waste and debris exported by the recycling industry at the port. Transit traffic is up 5% compared to the first six months of 2020.
Brussels is Belglium's second largest inland port and located along the Antwerp-Brussels-Charleroi Canal. (cd)