Port of Antwerp-Bruges: a soft spot for transporting steel

Port of Antwerp-Bruges is the largest breakbulk port for steel in Europe. The port offers an unparalleled combination of accessibility, advanced infrastructure and years of expertise. The specialist firms handle each cargo of steel with the greatest care and efficiency.

Breakbulk Cargo

A wide range of steel products

Port of Antwerp-Bruges processes a wide range of steel products, from coils and sheets to plates, bars, tubes and pipes. These mainly come from Asia and Europe and find their way to destinations worldwide, such as America, other European countries and Africa.

In 2023, firms in the port handled 7,838,441 tons of metal products, which equates to as much as 73% of the total tonnage of breakbulk (excluding RoRo). Container transport for steel is not included in that figure.

Port of Antwerp-Bruges is the largest breakbulk port for steel in Europe.

How is steel transported?

Steel is primarily transported as breakbulk, but it also finds its way into containers. The form of shipping used is flexible and can be adapted, based on the infrastructure available at the receiving ports. After all, not every port has the right cranes or expertise to unload breakbulk ships.

Current market conditions are also affecting the form of shipping used. When there are shortages of containers or disruptions in the supply chain, cargoes often shift to breakbulk vessels. In Port of Antwerp-Bruges, all forms of shipping can be found.

Service providers with expertise

Port of Antwerp-Bruges has a network of freight forwarders and shipping agents who are specialists in transporting steel. They take care of everything from A to Z, including the shipping paperwork and complex customs formalities. In addition, surveyors carry out quality checks and investigate claims for insurers if necessary.

Terminal operators at the port unload the steel products from the ship, store them, and process or handle the steel. The advantage of the All Weather Terminal such as the one belonging to Wijngaard Natie is that inland navigation craft and short sea vessels (up to 10,000 dwt) can have their cargoes unloaded and handled in dry conditions, regardless of the weather.

Thanks to the All Weather Terminal, we can handle weather-sensitive cargo under cover at all times. And this for every means of transport, from trucks over rail to short sea ships.

Wendy Van Beirendonck,Sales at Wijngaard Natie

Handle weather-sensitive cargo under cover at all times

Added value in the port

Port of Antwerp-Bruges offers a wide range of services such as weighing and labelling steel or packing and unpacking containers. What is more, our steel service centres offer semi-industrial services such as cutting, coating and shot-blasting. The port is therefore a one-stop shop that provides a full range of services.

“The slitting centers are a great example of added value. After transshipment at Zuidnatie, the coils are cut into slitting tape at the same terminal, so we can offer our customers a total package at one location.” Tore Odegarden, Plant Manager at Knauf Ceiling Solutions

Our steel service centres offer semi-industrial services such as cutting, coating and shot-blasting.

A unique range of overseas connections

As it offers the largest range of breakbulk connections in Europe, Port of Antwerp-Bruges is the ideal place to go when sending your steel goods around the world. Multi-purpose shipping companies ship the goods overseas using scheduled maritime connections to all parts of the world, making things even more convenient for shippers. In fact, you never need to wait long for the next sailing to your chosen destination.

The port's strategic location ensures easy access to key markets such as Germany, France and the United Kingdom. In addition, all steel terminals have trimodal access to rail and road transportation and inland navigation systems, thereby improving the efficiency and speed of your logistics operations.

The central location in Western Europe, the expertise of the dockworkers and an excellent rail connection make Antwerp our main hub to the US and Canada.

John Michielssen,Head of Falline and Cargo Operations at Fednav

Fotoshoot van breakbulk / projectlading op Zuidnatie terminal. Deze foto's zijn allemaal goedgekeurd door Maryse Verlaek.

Regulations and standards

The handling and storage of steel is subject to strict regulations and international standards known as the CBAM (Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism). This is a system of levies on imports of high-carbon products, such as steel, cement, fertiliser or electricity, for example. By means of this system, the EU wants to ensure that European industry has a level playing field with regard to all goods imported to Europe. On the other hand, Europe also imposes import quotas that can cause fluctuations in volumes.

AntwerpXL: The event of the year

Every year the breakbulk, RoRo and heavy lift sectors gather in Antwerp for AntwerpXL, the breakbulk event of the year. That is the place where shippers, freight forwarders, shipping companies and logistics companies share experiences and expand their network with a view to future collaborations. Will you also be there between 8 and 10 October 2024?

More info

Immerse yourself in the world of RORO, heavy elevator cargo and breakbulk at AntwerpXL

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