North Sea Port reports a strong second quarter in 2026

In the second quarter of 2026, companies at North Sea Port handled 16.8 million tonnes of cargo via seaborne transport. This represented growth of almost 1% compared with the same quarter a year earlier and marked a clear recovery following the weak first quarter of this year. In particular, the transhipment of containers, general cargo and rolling stock saw a strong increase. Inland waterway transport grew by almost 5%.

 

Compared with the second quarter of 2025, a number of segments recorded solid growth. This is attributable to the broad diversification of activities and cargo flows within the port area. At the same time, this underlines the resilience of the companies in the port, which continue to invest and operate despite the ongoing (geopolitical) uncertainty. In particular, the transhipment of containers (+13%), general cargo (+13%) and rolling stock (RoRo, +4%) flourished. This contrasts with a decline in the transhipment of dry bulk (-2.5%) and liquid bulk (-1.6%), which together account for three-quarters of total cargo transhipment.

 

Dry bulk traditionally accounts for around half of the total transhipment volume at the port. However, there are significant variations within this category. For instance, there was an increase in the transhipment of scrap metal, fertilisers, sand and gravel, and petroleum coke. This was offset by a decline in iron ore, urea, steel slag, wheat and coal coke.

 

The picture is also mixed for liquid bulk – which accounts for almost a quarter of transhipment volumes. Transhipment of biodiesel, kerosene, bituminous mixtures and vegetable oils and fats increased. At the same time, transhipment of naphtha, propane, other petroleum products, urea and other energy gases fell.

 

The consequences of the war in the Persian Gulf region were not the same everywhere. In the first quarter, the basic chemicals sector faced weak market conditions, leaving part of its production capacity unused. From March onwards, disruptions in supply chains also led to a shortage of industrial raw materials and semi-finished products. This shortage resulted in higher prices. Although this posed a challenge for many companies, it also presented some businesses with opportunities to capitalise on the disrupted markets.

 

Inland waterway transport posted strong figures. Freight handled via inland waterways totalled 15.8 million tonnes, an increase of almost 5% compared with the second quarter of last year.

 

It is striking that the handling of liquid bulk via inland waterways grew by 8.7%, whilst the handling of the same cargo stream via sea transport actually declined.

 

Over the first six months of 2026, cargo transhipment via sea transport fell by around 4% compared with the same period in 2025. This decline is mainly attributable to the weak first quarter, during which cargo transhipment via sea transport totalled 15 million tonnes. With 16.8 million tonnes in the second quarter, part of this shortfall has now been made up.

 

North Sea Port’s largest trading partner remains the United Kingdom, accounting for nearly 3 million tonnes of cargo transhipment in the first half of the year. It is followed by France, Sweden, Brazil, the United States and Canada, each with around 2 million tonnes of transhipment.

 

The geopolitical situation, particularly in the Gulf region, is causing uncertainty and rapid changes. The chemicals sector, in particular, has had a tough time recently, but rising prices are actually creating opportunities for it to increase production in Europe. The question is whether this will be a temporary effect. However, a few positive signs offer hope of a gradual recovery in the coming months.