The Belgium Port of Antwerp-Bruges closed 2025 with a record year for the reefer segment with the port handling a total of 1,170,394 TEU of reefer containers – the highest volume ever recorded. This represents an increase of 0.6% compared to 2024.
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The growth is primarily driven by a rise in import volumes, which increased by 13.5%. Export volumes of reefer containers remain largely stable (0.9%) and represent 35% of the total volume.
Trans-shipment 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, underlining 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%). Approximately 90% of reefer imports consist of fresh products, including fruit, vegetables, and meat/fish.
Most 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 Europe, mainly Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, and France, consist primarily of frozen products shipped to various destinations across multiple continents. “The fact that nearly one in ten containers arriving at thhe port is a fully operational reefer shows how crucial temperature-controlled logistics has become today,” stated Tineke Van de Voorde, Key Account Manager at Port of Antwerp-Bruges.