Antwerp, Belgium

Port Overview

Antwerp, Belgium is located on the Scheldt River, about 80 kilometers inland from the North Sea, providing direct access to both maritime and European inland trade routes. It is the second-largest port in Europe and consistently ranks among the top 15 container ports globally. Antwerp’s strategic position makes it a key gateway for European trade, with 60% of European purchasing power within a 500-kilometer radius. The port handled approximately 13–13.5 million TEUs annually in recent years, underscoring its major role in global logistics and supply chains.

Facilities & Infrastructure

Antwerp’s main facilities include the MSC PSA European Terminal (MPET), the largest container terminal in Europe, and the North Sea Terminal, both equipped with advanced cargo handling technology and automated gates. The port features extensive breakbulk terminals, such as Euroports TA1207, with high-capacity mobile harbor cranes, Mantsinen hybrid cranes, and specialized equipment for steel, forest products, and perishables. Automated guided vehicles (AGVs), floating cranes up to 800 tonnes, and deep-sea berths support efficient container, bulk, and project cargo operations.

Container Terminals

Antwerp’s container terminals feature over 30 deep-sea berths and a total annual capacity exceeding 13 million TEU. The port’s main terminals—MSC PSA European Terminal (MPET), PSA Antwerp, and DP World—are equipped with advanced automation, including automated stacking cranes and gate systems. Major operators are PSA, MSC (via MPET), and DP World. The terminals are among the most modern in Europe, with ongoing investments in further automation and capacity expansion.

Port Services

• Container handling: Extensive container terminals with modern facilities for loading, unloading, and transshipment of containers.
• Cargo operations: Handling of breakbulk, liquid and dry bulk, steel, vehicles, chemicals, and project cargo, with specialized terminals and heavy-lift equipment.
• Ship services: Pilotage, towage, mooring, bunkering, waste collection, and vessel traffic management.
• Warehousing: Over 5 million square meters of covered storage, temperature-controlled warehousing, and value-added logistics such as repackaging and labeling.
• Customs: Full customs clearance services, including EU import/export processing and inspection facilities.

Global Connectivity

Antwerp is Europe’s second-largest port, offering direct maritime connections to over 1,000 ports worldwide. It serves major regions across Europe, including Germany, France, the Netherlands, and Central Europe, via extensive rail, road, and inland waterway links. Key shipping routes connect Antwerp to Asia, North America, Africa, and the Middle East, making it a vital gateway for container, bulk, and chemical cargo to global markets.

Port Statistics

Key Statistics for Antwerp-Bruges Port:

• TEU Throughput: 3.44 million TEU in Q1 2025.
• World Ranking: Currently Europe's largest container port.
• Number of Berths: Not specified.
• Area: Part of a larger port complex.
• Shipping Lines: Multiple major lines operate here, contributing to its significant container traffic.