North Sea Port Ghent, multimodal gateway to Europe
Known for its quality infrastructure, North Sea Port Ghent – which has joined forces with the Port of Terneuzen in the Netherlands to form North Sea Port – has plenty of extra space to invest in future services. It is a multimodal port and close to end markets, with excellent connections to France, the Netherlands and Germany by inland navigation.
One of Europe’s leading biotech clusters
North Sea Port Ghent boasts significant strengths in biotechnology. To give just two examples, the port is home to:
- Ghent Bio-Economy Valley – a major European cluster organization that supports the development of a biobased economy.
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The Rodenhuizedok bio-refinery – Europe’s largest integrated bio-energy production complex, hosting the production of bioethanol, biodiesel and bioelectricity under one roof.
Plenty of space
At the end of 2017, the Port of Ghent was fused with the Zeeland ports of Terneuzen and Vlissingen in the Netherlands to form the North Sea Port, which processed a combined total of 70.3 million tons of goods. The port also has access to 660 extra hectares to use to build additional logistical or storage facilities. The Kluizendock of North Sea Port Ghent features 1,000 acres of greenfield for EDCs and industry.
World-leading dry bulk and agribulk specialties
North Sea Port Ghent is equipped with a “Brazilian” dry bulk port, which is why it specializes in the transport of ores, cereals, soybeans, salt, fertilizers and other dry goods. It has the largest facility in Europe dedicated to the storage of agribulk (agricultural dry commodities).
The port is also the 2nd-largest importer of fruit juice in the world, with Brazil being the primary trade partner of North Sea Port Ghent, responsible for 20% of the port’s traffic.
In addition to its transport facilities, North Sea Port Ghent is home to the largest European biofuel R&D and production cluster in Europe, and the largest steel and paper mills in the world. Volvo Cars Belgium is also headquartered at the site.
High in quality, low in cost
The rental costs of office and industrial space in Ghent are very low, but the quality of services is very high when compared with those of nearby port cities. Prime logistics rents in East Flanders, where North Sea Port Ghent is located, fall between EUR 41 and EUR 43 per square meter.