Growth within Port of Antwerp’s cold chain segment is set to persist in 2021. This is all the more remarkable in a year when the global supply chain was facing unprecedented challenges. What will 2022 bring? Port of Antwerp’s Perishable Expertise Group offers answers to some pressing questions.
The total number of reefer containers handled in the port of Antwerp increased by 2.7% in 2021 compared to 2020. The 1 million TEU mark of operational reefer containers has been passed for the second year in a row now. The growth was mainly driven by a 6% increase in export volumes. Some 60% of the containers handled in the Port of Antwerp are destined for export. The share of reefer container volumes (in TEUs) is 8.2% of the total container traffic in the port.
Perishables Expertise Group “Our eating habits have a positive bearing on reefer rates. Meal boxes with fresh produce are becoming increasingly popular. Moreover, supermarkets are exploring ways they can deliver fresh groceries to the customers’ homes. This phenomenon is already popular in the United Kingdom and is expected to blow over to Belgium. Many consumers are consciously choosing a plant-based diet and are looking for an expanded range of fruits, vegetables and meat substitutes. Preferably all year round.”
What stands out in the annual figures is the increase in conventional reefer volumes. Total conventional volume increased by 6% compared to 2020. Before the coronavirus crisis, there was a huge drop in the use of conventional reefer vessels, as the majority of perishables were transported in reefer containers. As of 2020, it was again profitable to deploy reefer vessels in liner shipping due to the high rates in container liner shipping. Do conventional reefers still have a future?
Source: portofantwerp.com
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