Antwerp-Bruges port eyes bigger India share as cargo volumes dip, bets on green hydrogen

Mumbai: Europe's second-largest port, Antwerp-Bruges, is stepping up efforts to capture a bigger share of India's exports and position itself as a future gateway for green hydrogen imports, at a time when cargo volumes between India and the Belgian port have declined.

Cargo between India and Antwerp fell to 6.3 million tonnes in 2025 from 7.2 million tonnes in 2024, while container traffic declined to 330,000 TEUs from 358,000 TEUs, according to data shared by Antwerp's vice mayor's office.

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The slowdown has prompted the port to examine why India's export growth has not translated into higher cargo flows to Europe. "Your exports are growing. Your trade is growing. Overall, to Europe, it's not growing in the same way as the rest of the world. Why is it not growing?" Johan Klaps, chairman of the Port of Antwerp-Bruges and vice mayor (Ports, Economy, Diamonds), City of Antwerp, told ET during a visit to India.