Port of Antwerp

The port of Antwerp is a source of economic prosperity of the city, invites you to get acquainted with its working days.
Getting acquainted with the port can be combined with a sightseeing tour of Antwerp or on the way to oyster farms in Zeylandia. I am ready to make an individual tour to explore every corner of the giant port: by boat, by car and by bicycle.

From 24 to 25 September 2016, the new Antwerp Port Authority building was inaugurated. The Port House is an architectural masterpiece designed by Zaha Hadid, the first-ever female architect to be awarded the Pritzker Prize. You are waiting for stunning panaramas and unexpected interior design.

History of the port of Antwerp. The port of Antwerp boasts a very bright and rich history. Already in the Middle Ages, passenger and cargo ships moored to the banks of the Scheldy River. And over the next five centuries, the port became one of the largest in the world. There is documentary evidence that the port of Antwerp already existed in the twelfth century. It was here that passengers began their journey, who were heading to England or to the eastern province of Holland - Zeyland. The port was a transshipment point for export products, such as wine from Germany, which was then shipped to England.

The development of the port, of course, contributed to the development of the city of Antwerp, and the large-scale rise of water in the Schelde River favorably affected the development of the port. More and more ships were entering the port of Antwerp. The 16th century is known as the Golden Age of Antwerp. The port flourished by exporting manufactured goods that were produced in the southern provinces of the Netherlands. All these cargoes were sent through the port of Antwerp to France, Spain, Portugal and Morocco. In the middle of the seventeenth century, the port of Antwerp was greatly enlarged, with ten new marinas and eight inland ports being completed.

In 1585, when Antwerp was captured by the Spanish and traffic on the Schelde River was blocked, Antwerp survived at the expense of its inland ports. And the port not only managed to resist, but also became the world leader in transportation. 1800-1930 - Industrial Revolution. The influence of the French political regime under Napoleon reopened the shores of Schelda. Napoleon even decided to build new docks in the port - a small dock of Bonaparte and a large dock of William. Napoleon Bonaparte saw the port of Antwerp as a very important strategic object in the confrontation and rivalry with England. Moreover, in 1863 the port became a free trade zone, which contributed to the development of the city. In 1869, for the first time in the history of the port of Antwerp, more than a million tons of cargo were shipped, and this volume doubled every year. It was at this time that the Red Star Line passenger transport company began its existence, which transported more than two million people to America from the port of Antwerp.

Thanks to the Industrial Revolution, a lively trade of the coastal lands of Germany with Africa and Asia began. Antwerp is at the center of this commercial boom, with all international freight and passenger shipping companies opening offices in Antwerp. At the end of the 19th century, the port management decided to strengthen the moorings of the Scheldy River, build new docks in the northern part of the port. It was at this time that the Van Cauvelart Gateway was built. Already in 1929, more than 26 million cargoes were shipped through the port of Antwerp, which was made possible thanks to the good infrastructure of the port and skillful and nimble dockers. The port of Antwerp was one of several ports in Europe that survived World War II. The Marshall Plan helped Antwerp become a leader in the chemical industry and remains so today. The Belgian government has developed a 10-year development plan. Namely, the construction of docks on canals in the northern part of the city. A few kilometers from the border with Holland was built the world's largest lock - Zandvlit. Now cargo ships with containers can easily dock in the port of Antwerp.

In 1970-2000 the port began to grow on the left bank. The Callo Gateway and Wasland Canal were built. Now even ocean liners can go to the port of Antwerp. According to 1999 data, more than 100 million tons of cargo passes through the port of Antwerp annually. In order for the port to increase its cargo turnover, it was decided in 1997 that the port of Antwerp would become an independent company, but would remain the property of the city of Antwerp.

At the moment, the Port of Antwerp is working on several projects that will significantly increase the cargo turnover of the port. In 2011, the construction of a second sea lock on the right bank began. It will be the deepest and widest sea gateway in the world. More than 1,000 hectares have been allocated for the construction of a tidal lock, storage facilities and all the necessary port infrastructure.