North Sea Port processed a total of 33.2 million tonnes of goods via sea shipping in the first six months of 2025. That is a slight decrease of 1.2% compared to the same period last year. Yet the harbor continues to perform robust, especially thanks to the strong figures in dry and liquid bulk.
The total transfer remained stable thanks to a broad diversification of goods and activities. Both the first and the second quarter of this year each knew exactly 15.6 million tonnes of transfer via sea shipping.
Great Britain and US remain leaders
Great Britain remains the most important trading partner for North Sea Port, with an unchanged trade volume position compared to last year. The effects of the Brexit seem to ebb further and further. The United States retains second place and even book a growth of 8%, despite geopolitical uncertainties. Trade with Russia, on the other hand, continues to decrease, with a fall of 14% as a result of tightened EU sanctions.
Dry bulk remains the backbone of North Sea Port and is good for half of the seafarer crossing, with 17.9 million tons. Liquid bulk follows with 7.5 million tons, good for a quarter of the total. Both types of goods show a status quo compared to the first half of 2024.
Containers perform remarkably well, with an increase of 27,000 TEU (+38.3%) to 98,000 TEU. In weight expressed, it is 930,000 tons, an increase of 23.5%.
The slight decrease in total transfer is mainly due to general cargo and roll-on/roll-off (Roro). The general carpet decreased by 0.4 million tonnes (-7.5%) to 5.0 million tonnes, among other things due to a shift from fruit transport to containers. Roro traffic also fell lightly, by 1.9% to 1.9 million tonnes.
Inland shipping saw a sharper decrease than sea shipping. In the first half year, 30.3 million tonnes of goods were transported, 5.9% less than last year. Especially dry bulk goods such as sand, gravel, ores and minerals were the cause of this.
