Gand, Belgium

Port Overview

Ghent (Gand), Belgium, is located in East Flanders along the Ghent-Terneuzen Canal, about 58 km from the North Sea. It is Belgium’s third busiest port and one of Europe’s largest inland ports. Strategically positioned for access to both seagoing and inland vessels, Ghent serves as a major dry bulk hub and is integral to the North Sea Port complex, enhancing its role in European logistics. The port handles around 530,000 TEU annually and processes over 48 million tons of cargo each year.

Facilities & Infrastructure

Ghent (Gand), Belgium features major terminals including the DFDS Mercatordok Multimodal Terminal for RoRo, containers, and breakbulk, and Euroports’ dry bulk terminals at Quays 280 and 850 for fertilizers and minerals. Facilities include extensive warehousing, covered storage, and rail connections. Key equipment comprises all-purpose cranes, mobile Gottwald cranes, reach stackers, forklifts, and automated entry gates. The port also supports big bagging, sieving, and weighing operations, but does not currently use AGVs.

Container Terminals

Ghent (Gand), Belgium’s container terminals feature multiple berths and an annual capacity of approximately 2.5 million TEU. The terminals utilize modern container handling equipment and automated stacking systems, offering direct rail and road connectivity. Major operators include Ghent Container Terminal and Euroports Terminal Ghent. Automation is at a moderate to high level, supporting efficient operations and multimodal logistics integration.

Port Services

• Container handling: Facilities for loading, unloading, and storage of containers, including RoRo and LoLo operations.
• Cargo operations: Handling of dry bulk, liquid bulk, general cargo, project cargo, and automotive logistics.
• Ship services: Vessel berthing, bunkering, repairs, inspections, and crew services.
• Warehousing: Extensive covered and open storage, cross-docking, and rail-connected transshipment areas.
• Customs: On-site customs clearance, documentation, and compliance support.

Global Connectivity

Ghent (Gand), Belgium, is part of North Sea Port, offering direct maritime access to the North Sea via the Ghent-Terneuzen Canal. It is connected by regular short sea shipping routes to the UK, Scandinavia, the Mediterranean, Russia, and the Baltic States. The port serves Belgium, northern France, and the broader European hinterland through extensive rail, road, and inland waterway links, including the Rhine-Main-Danube and future Seine-Scheldt corridor to Paris.

Port Statistics

Port of Ghent, Belgium – Key Statistics (2025):

• TEU throughput: Approximately 250,000 TEU annually
• World ranking: Not in the global top 100 container ports
• Number of berths: 35
• Port area: 4,500 hectares
• Shipping lines: Served by major European shortsea and feeder operators, including MSC, CMA CGM, and DFDS

The port primarily handles bulk, breakbulk, and general cargo, with a growing but modest container segment.