Dunkirk logged a new container handling record in 2019 with traffic increasing 7% to 450,000 TEU. Container traffic has grown by an aggregate of 54% since 2013, according to the port authority (GPM de Dunkerque).

GPM noted, however, that the number of accompanied and unaccompanied trailers moving over the ferry terminal was down 2% to 583,000 units, while tourist car numbers were down 16% to 579,000 and the passenger count on the ferries was down 11.1% to 2.341M. Cross-Channel traffic, at 15 Mt, accounts for around 75% of all general cargo (20.1 Mt), so Brexit issues remain a major concern.

The 2020 budget includes €3.2M for a new building to accommodate French and British border forces.

Overall tonnage last year increased 3% to 53 Mt, with dry bulks down 9% to 23.5 Mt, mainly due to lower iron ore and coking coal imports for the steel industry – respectively down to 13.5 Mt (- 10%) and 5.3 Mt (- 19%), and also lower demand for thermal coal. Grain traffic increased 43% to 2 Mt and other dry bulks were off 9% to 2.9 Mt. Liquid bulk came to 9.4 Mt (+ 71%).