THE Port of Antwerp first quarter volumes rose 0.9 per cent to 2.1 million TEU, but the 2.1 per cent increase in container weights to 26 million tonnes exceeded growth in the number of boxes, which has become the trend.

The growth figures top those reported by Europe's busiest box port of Rotterdam, after its growth was flat in the first quarter at 2.9 million TEU, yet Rotterdam's container tonnage was up by one per cent to 30 million tonnes.

The upsurge in volumes at Antwerp halt the decline recorded in 2013 when volumes fell 0.7 per cent compared to the preceding year, reported Lloyd's List. The rebound started in the fourth quarter of 2013 when the port experienced a 2.5 per cent year-on-year volume increase to 2.1 million TEU.