Flanders: Europe’s car handling hub

Almost 4 million vehicles are handled in Flanders every year. Since 2014, the Port of Zeebrugge has been the main automotive logistics hub for light vehicles, before Bremerhaven (Germany). Even the largest automotive carriers set sail for Flanders’ ports: in August 2015, the MS Höegh Target – with its capacity of 8,500 vehicles – called on the port of Antwerp. 

Car brands imported via Flanders include:

A true hub for international markets, the Port of Zeebrugge handled a record 2.7 million new vehicles in 2016. To do so, it relied on its highly-developed automotive infrastructure:

• Home to the world’s first LNG delivery tanker for “clean ships” relying on liquefied natural gas
• 8 vehicle terminals with 5 operators
• 6 pre-delivery inspection (PDI) centers
• 430 ha terrain with 140,000 parking spaces
• Deck storage for up to 4,000 cars
• Multiple dedicated automotive road transport companies within the port area
• Facilitates imports and exports between over 70 countries

In 2016, the Port of Antwerp handled around 1.2 million cars for, among others, major Korean brands like KIA, Hyundai, GM (formerly Daewoo). With 17 multipurpose and two dedicated RoRo terminals, the port is the market leader in the export of secondhand cars and a major player in the export of lorries and tractors.

The Port of Ghent is a hotspot for car and truck assembly and the distribution of cars. In the wake of assembly companies, various parts producers and suppliers have established themselves in and around the port and in the Skaldenpark and Hulsdonk business parks.