Solid bulk increased by 11% at the port of Dunkirk to reach 20.1 MT in 2021. Ore, which rose sharply by 29% (11.3 MT), benefited from the sustained pace of steelmaking activity while coal volumes were down very slightly (3.4 MT). The structural decline in demand for steam coal continues even if it is offset by the logical resumption of imports of coking coal. Grain ended the year down 29% to 2.4 MT, compared with a record year in 2020 (3.3 MT). Finally, the very significant increase in the volumes of “small” solid bulk (3 MT, + 16%) reflects the strong upswing in local and regional industrial activity.
Overall, the port of Dunkirk's annual traffic reached 48.6 MT, an increase of more than 8% compared(45.1 MT). While the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic remains visible in terms of Cross-Channel activity, almost all of the other port sectors are on the rise.
General cargo posted an increase of 3% to reach 19.9 MT. The break-bulk sector rose 48% to stand at 1 MT, under the effect of the resumption of exports of steel products.
The port has forecast that in 2022, business will remain robust. The investment programme approved by the Supervisory Board on 19 November 2021 stands at € 71m, the highest for 5 years.