Discover the Belgian (sea) ports: a gateway to international trade
Strategically located in the heart of Europe, Belgium has several important seaports and inland ports that play a crucial role in international trade. Among these ports, the ports of Antwerp, Zeebrugge, Ostend, Liège and Brussels stand out. Each one has its unique advantages and characteristics, and contributes to the Belgian economy.
The Port of Antwerp: the second largest seaport in Europe
The port of Antwerp is known as the second largest seaport in Europe, after Rotterdam. The seaport is located 80 km inland, strategically located along the Scheldt, with access to the North Sea. It acts as a crucial hub for goods entering and leaving Europe, facilitating extensive trade routes with countries around the world.
With state-of-the-art facilities and multiple deepwater terminals, the port of Antwerp receives the largest container ships. The port is known for its extensive petrochemical cluster, the largest in Europe and the second largest in the world. It has numerous refineries and chemical companies.
The ports of Antwerp and Zeebrugge merged in April 2021 into a single entity, the port of Antwerp-Bruges. In 2023, the total cargo volume was 271 million tonnes, with 137.2 million tonnes of container throughput and 24.8 million tonnes of dry and general cargo. Liquid bulk accounted for 88.7 million tonnes. In the first half of 2024, the port of Antwerp-Bruges did better in cargo throughput, with an increase of 3% compared to the same period in 2023, mainly with stronger demand for container transport.
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Zeebrugge: the gateway to the North Sea
Located on the North Sea, Zeebrugge is another important seaport in Belgium. It acts as a crucial point for passenger and freight transport, providing seamless access to European markets. The port is also equipped with modern facilities for handling various types of cargo, including car transports and bulk cargo.
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The seaport of Ghent
The seaport of Ghent is another important maritime hub in Belgium, providing access to the North Sea via the Ghent-Terneuzen canal. The port of Ghent is part of the larger North Sea Port, which stretches over 60 kilometres between Vlissingen, Terneuzen and Ghent. North Sea Port has 9,100 hectares of port land in Belgium and the Netherlands. The strategic location on the North Sea provides direct access for seagoing vessels.
The Ghent part, North Sea Port Flanders, employs almost 64,000 people and is mainly focused on the steel and automotive industry. The transhipment includes large quantities of iron ore, coal, grain, building materials, and oils.
The new lock in Terneuzen was completed in October 2024. The lock improves access for larger ships and promotes the flow of the Western Scheldt to the Ghent-Terneuzen Canal. The capacity of the locks will also increase, reducing waiting times for inland vessels. The Flemish-Dutch Scheldt Commission is the client and Sassevaart is the contractor.
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The port of Ostend: a historic maritime hub
Like Zeebrugge, the port of Ostend is located on the Belgian coast. The port of Ostend has a rich maritime history that dates back centuries. It has traditionally been a fishing port, but has evolved into a multi-purpose port handling freight and passenger transport, with a most recent focus on the construction and maintenance of wind farms in the North Sea. Since 2013, Port Oostende has diversified, in addition to its primary reliance on gravel and sand, by including other goods such as fertilisers, steel, cars and container transport.
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The port of Liège: a strategic inland port
The port of Liège is known for its crucial role in European logistics. Unlike the Belgian seaports, the Port of Liège is located inland along the Meuse, and is therefore a prominent inland shipping port. The port is known for its intermodality, combining highly efficient freight transport by waterways, rail, road, and air.
The convenient location of the Port of Liège provides businesses with seamless access to the whole of Europe, making it an essential trading hub. The port handles a wide range of cargo types, such as containers, bulk materials, and heavy equipment, among others. As the largest Belgian inland port and the third largest in Europe, the port of Liège handled 16 million tonnes of cargo in 2023. It includes 33 port areas, spread over 370 hectares. The port of Liège is located 15 hours (sailing time) from the port of Antwerp and 24 hours (sailing time) from the port of Rotterdam.
The Port Authority of Liège is actively developing Liège Trilogiport, a multimodal platform along the Albert Canal of 100 hectares with a container terminal of 15 hectares.
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The Brussels inland port
The Brussels inland port is only a 5-hour boat ride from the port of Antwerp. The quays extend over 8.67 kilometres within the Brussels-Capital Region. This port cluster is home to 350 companies and generates direct or indirect employment for almost 8,000 people.
The port of Brussels is a major economic, industrial and logistical hub in the Belgian capital, creating around €1 billion in added value every year.
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Conclusion: the importance of Belgian ports
The Belgian seaports of Antwerp, Zeebrugge and Ostend and the inland ports of Liège and Brussels are essential for the country's economy, facilitating trade and improving connectivity with world markets. With their strategic locations, modern facilities and cultural offerings, these ports continue to play an important role in shaping Belgium's maritime landscape and its position in international trade. Whether you're looking to explore the bustling trading activities or enjoy a relaxing coastal retreat, Belgium's seaports offer a gateway to diverse opportunities.
