Life science and healthcare
Port of Antwerp-Bruges is the first maritime port in the world to operate its entire logistics chain according to the European Good Distribution Practice (GDP) rules.
Cold chain goods
Port of Antwerp-Bruges provides an unbroken cold chain for every product requiring temperature-controlled handling. Ranging from fresh fruit to life science and healthcare products. Perishables goods travel around the world in many ways. In containers or via roll-on roll-off cargoes, in bulk or reefer ships, etc. As such, a wide range of facilities for receiving, handling and storing these goods are located in the port area.
Life sciences & healthcare
Perishables
Short transit times and experienced service providers make Port of Antwerp-Bruges the leading perishables port in Europe.
Unlimited storage
Port of Antwerp-Bruges always offers a tailored solution for your product, whatever the specific storage requirements. More than 63 000 million sq. ft. of temperature controlled warehouses for storage of your delicate perishables, pharma or life science and healthcare products are available. Both certified room-temperature rooms and refrigerated and frozen rooms.
Efficient customs and food inspections
The port is equipped with ultra-modern inspection posts, allowing customs and food inspections to be carried out in the same place. These posts are licensed to inspect almost every kind of animal and plant-based product. Depending on the type of product, the refrigerated depots at the port are also licensed to conduct food inspections on their own premises.
The presence of the Belgian customs authorities and the Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain (FASFC) guarantees correct and reliable service.
The border inspection posts ensure the rapid handling of inspections within the port area. The facilities are open on working days from 6am to 10pm, and from 7am to 6pm for FASFC. During these times, users are welcome to report for an inspection without a prior appointment.
Perishables
Port of Antwerp-Bruges has various strengths in the area of perishables logistics. The short transit times and experienced service providers make Port of Antwerp-Bruges the leading perishables port in Europe.
Connected with the world
Port of Antwerp-Bruges is the first port of call in Europe for many destinations. We offer you a wide range of container and conventional services with overseas perishables markets. Thanks to the strategic location and excellent connectivity, our port has an unmatched proximity to major fresh markets and consumer centres.
©Getty ImagesUnseen customer-oriented service
The logistics service providers at Port of Antwerp-Bruges are renowned worldwide for the quality of their service and their solution oriented mindset in case of unexpected cold chain concerns. They offer a vast range of services, for example: ripening, sorting, order picking, quality control and stock management.
Short transit times
Perishables are unloaded from the ship in less than an hour at Port of Antwerp-Bruges. Within 24 hours, products are taken to the supermarket via a dense network of road, rail, barge and shortsea infrastructure. Specialised perishables forwarders help you design the optimal transport route and share real-time information about the temperature and location of your cargo.
Handling and storage efficiency
The goods handlers use state-of-the-art equipment for the handling and storage of freight and have waterside storage facilities. There are temperature-controlled spaces for +175,000 pallets, in all temperature ranges. In addition, there are highly-efficient integrated Customs and Food Inspections at border inspection posts.
©Getty Images
Brochure Perishables (English version)
11/10/2022
We’ve got you covered! Discover how Port of Antwerp-Bruges leaves nothing to chance. Handling, cooling, packing, shipping... anything to deliver your produce fresh at the customers doorstep.
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The Vlaamse Visveiling
The Vlaamse Visveiling is located in the heart of the port area in Bruges. Every day, this private company strives to achieve harmony between supply and demand of fresh wild fish at democratic prices for both buyer and seller. Thanks to the Vlaamse Visveiling, more than 17 million kg of fresh fish reaches consumers from all corners of Europe every year. This puts the wholesaler in the top 5 in its sector!
Life science and healthcare
When it comes to shipping products, there is hardly a more challenging type of cargo than life sciences and healthcare products. Enter Port of Antwerp-Bruges: as the world’s first Good Distribution Practice (GDP) compliant harbour, we expertly connect your pharmaceutical supply chain with the rest of the world.
Port of Antwerp-Bruges is the first maritime port in the world to operate its entire logistics chain according to the European Good Distribution Practice (GDP) rules.
UCB’s air-to-sea shift: the green revolution in practice
26/4/2022
Traditionally, pharmaceutical companies chose airfare to move their precious freight. But over the last couple of years, a major shift took place. New reefer technology and extensive efforts in handling and storing procedures have made ports more attractive. Discover how our client UCB made the modal shift from air to sea happen and what the major benefits are.
DownloadThe world’s first GDP compliant port
We are the first maritime port in the world to operate its entire logistics chain according to the European Good Distribution Practice (GDP) rules. This label describes the high standard that a wholesale distributor must meet, to ensure that the quality and integrity of life sciences and healthcare products are maintained throughout the supply chain. GDP rules include involving highly trained personnel, designing areas for excellent storage conditions, monitoring data, labeling containers and communicating the conditions of the shipment – and many others.
Sea transport complementary to air transport
Port of Antwerp-Bruges brings the traffic flows from all modes of transport together. The container terminals are open 24/7 for receiving and handling cargo. The last few kilometres are covered trimodally by rail, truck or inland waterway. Brussels Airport, the first CEIV-certified airport in the world, is located less than 1 hour's drive away.
Related downloads
Brochure Supply Chain
13/6/2022
To stand out from the competition on the world market, companies must be able to call on the best possible supply chain to get cargo to its final destination.
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