UK operator P&O Ferries has posted its best ever freight figures between Zeebrugge and Tilbury.
It carried 186,000 units last year - a record for the 10-year history of the route.
This was an increase of 4.3% from 2016, which was itself a new high.
Nick Pank, head of freight for the North Sea, said: "These outstanding volumes show the growing popularity of the route from the continent to Tilbury, which we expect to rival Calais-Dover as a gateway to Britain within ten years."
"Given the strategic location of Tilbury - which is the closest port to London and has 18 million people living within 75 miles - the vast majority of the goods we carry are consumables such as wines, spirits, dairy, water and a wide range of other supermarket products."
P&O Ferries operates two ships on the route, sailing 24 times a week.
