India’s total exports reached a record US$860.09 billion in FY2026, reflecting the country’s continued strength in global trade. Merchandise exports recorded a modest increase to US$441.78 billion, while services exports remained the primary growth engine, rising to US$418.31 billion. Overall, India’s exports grew by 4.22% year on year.
Trade between India and Europe also remained resilient. In 2025, India-Europe container cargo volumes are estimated to have grown by around 5-6% year on year, indicating sustained demand despite global economic uncertainties.
However, the same trend has not been reflected at Port of Antwerp-Bruges, Europe’s second-largest port.
Despite India’s export momentum, cargo volumes routed through the Belgian port declined in 2025. Total cargo handled from India fell to 6.3 million tonnes, down from 7.2 million tonnes in 2024. Container traffic also dropped to 330,000 TEUs from 358,000 TEUs a year earlier.
The decline raises an important question: Why has India’s export growth not translated into higher cargo flows through Port of Antwerp-Bruges?
According to the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, the decline should be viewed as a short-term fluctuation rather than a structural shift. The port attributes the slowdown to an increasingly complex global environment shaped by economic uncertainty, geopolitical tensions, and evolving supply chains.
Speaking to Logistics Insider, the Indian representative of Port of Antwerp-Bruges said, “Cargo volumes may move up or down in the short run, but what matters more is the long-term direction of trade. From that perspective, the outlook is very encouraging.”
He added, “India-Europe trade is evolving. The conversation today is no longer only about moving more cargo—it is about moving smarter, faster and more efficiently. Businesses want reliability, resilience and long-term value from their logistics partners. This is where Port of Antwerp-Bruges sees significant opportunity. As trade becomes more value-driven and supply chains become more strategic, ports that offer efficiency, strong market access and trusted partnerships will play an even bigger role. We are confident that India will remain a major growth market for us in the years ahead.”
The port’s optimism is underpinned by India’s expanding role in the global economy.
India has emerged as one of the world’s strongest growth engines, with GDP expanding by 7.7% in FY2026, up from 7.1% in FY2025, making it the fastest-growing G20 economy despite challenges including US tariffs, higher energy costs resulting from diversified oil sourcing, and ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
At the same time, India’s manufacturing base continues to strengthen, its export basket is becoming increasingly sophisticated, and its integration into global supply chains is deepening. Sectors such as electronics, semiconductors, and pharmaceuticals are driving this transformation. India today supplies around 20% of the world’s pharmaceutical demand and more than 60% of global vaccine production by volume, reinforcing its position as a critical manufacturing and export hub.
While short-term cargo volumes through Port of Antwerp-Bruges may have softened, the broader trajectory suggests a long-term growth story, as Antwerp-Bruges positioning itself to attract a larger share of India’s exports with its port infrastructure, and an ecosystem that helps businesses grow in Europe.
“For Indian exporters, entering Europe is not only about reaching a port—it is about reaching customers efficiently, reliably and competitively. That is where Antwerp-Bruges creates value. Our location and connectivity give companies fast access to some of Europe’s largest industrial and consumer markets,” the representative said.
“Indian businesses want predictability, flexibility and partners who understand their long-term ambitions. This is why we are investing strongly in relationships with Indian industry, logistics partners and trade stakeholders. We see enormous opportunity in sectors such as chemicals, pharmaceuticals, food, automotive and advanced manufacturing, where India continues to grow rapidly,” he added.
Beyond Conventional Cargo
Beyond strengthening conventional cargo flows, the port is also looking to position itself at the centre of Europe’s energy transition. Antwerp-Bruges has expressed ambitions to become a leading gateway for green hydrogen imports, which it believes will become one of the most important pillars of future India-Europe cooperation.
The global energy transition is creating entirely new trade flows and strategic partnerships. India, with its abundant solar and wind resources and the National Green Hydrogen Mission, is emerging as a potential exporter of green hydrogen and its derivatives. Antwerp-Bruges has already established import partnerships with countries such as Namibia and Oman and sees India as another promising long-term partner.
As India’s export basket becomes more sophisticated and the recently concluded India-EU FTA lowers trade barriers, green hydrogen and derivatives such as ammonia could become significant Indian exports to Europe. Antwerp-Bruges aims to serve as the entry gateway for these shipments, connecting them to Germany and the wider European industrial hinterland through its planned hydrogen backbone. At the same time, Europe’s transition towards cleaner industries and lower carbon emissions is accelerating demand for reliable supplies of sustainable fuels.
“This creates a strong opportunity for collaboration between India and Port of Antwerp-Bruges. We are working to become a major entry point for green hydrogen and related clean fuels into Europe, and India has the potential to become an important long-term partner in that journey.
“What excites me most is that this goes far beyond trade alone. It opens the door to collaboration in technology, infrastructure, innovation and industrial transformation.
“In many ways, this is about shaping the future together. The partnership between India and Antwerp-Bruges has the potential to grow well beyond traditional trade and become a meaningful part of Europe’s clean energy future,” the Indian Representative to the Port of Antwerp-Bruges said.
As global supply chains become increasingly strategic and value-driven, both India and Port of Antwerp-Bruges see significant opportunities to deepen their partnership.
As the representative concluded, “Our goal is simple: to be a trusted long-term partner for Indian companies looking to strengthen their presence in Europe.”
