You may perceive Belgium as a fairly small country per se but in reality it hosts a large number of sea ports that have greatly bolstered its logistical and trading markets.
We can take an in-depth analysis of the ports anchored in Belgium and their broad-based functions.
Major Ports in Belgium
1. Port Of Antwerp
You can find this port located on the Antwerp Province and takes the top slot as the largest and most important port in Belgium. What makes the port of Antwerp stand out is its massive container handling capacity which averages millions of twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU) per year.
It is also strategically positioned close to major European industrial areas making it an excellent option for importation and exportation. Size wise, it is the second largest port in Europe with an estimated 13000 hectares of port territory.
Specialized facilities within the port include special chemical processing areas, oil refineries and auto logistics. The port has connectivity via rail roads, road network and water transport systems that give it very easy access.
2. Port of Zeebrugge
This port is located on the coast of the North Sea in place called Bruges, West of Flanders and is the second-busiest port in Belgium. It is famous as the main port for handling roll-on/roll-off cargo (Ro-Ro) and containers.
It may not deal with as many containers as Antwerp but it still contributes a great deal of container cargo to global markets beyond UK. Additionally, it is an energy hub since it is actively involved in the importation and exportation of liquified natural gas (LNG) which is a compresses natural gas.
It is strategically situated in the coastal location of the Red Sea. This makes it a free outlet to the North Sea and thus suits marine traffic and can easily access major European markets.
3. Port of Ghent
This port is located in East Flanders, an area called Ghent and can be rated as the third busiest port in Belgium. It has the reputation of handling large volumes of bulk cargo that includes coal, steel and agricultural produce that solves the industrial needs of Belgium.
It has formed strategic partnerships that include the North Sea Port Alliance which has increased its capacity with more extensive market accessibility and ships. The major specialty of this port is the handling of bulk goods as opposed to containers although it also handles a fair share of the containers.
Together with Antwerp and Zeebrugge, these three ports are some of the most important container terminals in Belgium. They are very strategic for big logistic companies and the global commerce.
4. Port of Ostend
It is located in the Belgian coast in the Flemish area, a place called Ostend situated in West Flanders and is much smaller than Antwerp and Zeebrugge. It stands out because it aims at being the center of renewable energy and has already become the port of call for maintenance of wind turbines and storage of its components.
In as much as it has good cargo handling capabilities, it mainly deals with passengers and is a common destination for cruise ships and ferries. The fact that it is a small port means it can comparatively handle few amounts of goods that are mostly perishables and specialized goods.
5. Port of Brussels
It is located in the heart of the Belgian capital and is primarily a regional and inland port. Since Belgium has a wide connection of canal system, you can easily navigate to this port from the larger sea port of Antwerp.
This port focuses more on the supply of regional goods such as food products and construction materials within the Brussels metropolitan area. It is focused on sustainable development being an inland port by focusing on various environmental aspects.
It aims at providing eco-friendly port operations and activities. Additionally, it has stepped up the war on carbon emissions by offering short sea shipping.
6. Port of Liege
This is arguably the largest inland port in Belgium with its location strategically situated in the Meuse River in Wallonia. This port offers an extensive inland connectivity with good links to the European inland water ways with access to France, Germany and the Netherlands.
Liege is known to mainly deal with imports and exports of bulk commodities such as minerals, coal, grain, among others. Such commodities are very critical in the industrial development of the Wallonia region.
It is also an industrial hub since it is vital for Belgium’s steel industry production and also in farming and agricultural sector in general. It may not be as busy as the other major ports but remain important logistic players in the country’s transport system.
Conclusion
The major access ports of Antwerp and Zeebrugge and the regional specialized ports such as Ostend, Brussels and Liege all add value to Belgium in terms of connectivity.
The other ports also serve the system in different ways making the Belgium port system balanced and very efficient no matter the product involved.
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More resources:
Belgium Freight Forwarders – Source: BANSAR
Shipping from China to Europe – Source: BANSAR
