After a fall in 2023, the volume of goods loaded and unloaded increased in 2024. Over a 10-year period, the basic trend is upward. This is what emerged from the official figures published by Statbel, the Belgian statistical office.
The total quantity of goods unloaded in Belgian sea ports amounted to just under 147 million tonnes. This is an increase of 0.3% compared to 2023 and of 16.7% compared to the year 2014.
The quantity of the goods loaded increased by 1.2% compared to 2023. Compared to 2014, this is an increase of 14.9%.
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In 2024, the number of ships arriving in and departing from Belgian ports has continued to decrease, following a trend that began more than ten years ago. This decrease can be explained in part by the increase in the size of ships, which allows a greater quantity of goods to be transported per voyage.
The total number of sea-going ships arriving in Belgian sea ports amounted to 22,126. This is a decrease of 0.8% compared to 2023 and of 9.8% compared to the year 2014.
The total number of sea-going ships that departed is 22,152, or a decrease of 0.7% compared to 2023 and of 13.1% compared to 2014.
Source: Statbel