The port of Antwerp plays an increasingly important role for imports of raw materials. With an annual transhipment volume of more than 24 million tonnes of dry bulk Antwerp is a leading bulk port.

The facilities and high performance of the bulk terminals, together with Antwerp’s central location and excellent hinterland connections, make the port a strong alternative for import and distribution of bulk goods in western Europe. These advantages have led to Antwerp developing into a multimodal bulk platform, able to make use of all transport modes for serving the hinterland. All this makes Antwerp a service-oriented, cost-effective link in any supply chain. Antwerp handles an exceptionally wide range of bulk freight, from coal (for the steel and power industries) and iron ore to non-ferrous concentrates, cement, minerals, fertilisers and China clay.

The main bulk terminals between them have a total quay length of 3.8 km, including 1,800 capesize and 2.2 km panamax. When there are several arrivals at the same time it is possible to divert the capesize or panamax ships to other terminals so as to prevent delays. Antwerp also offers 143 ha of open and closed storage space for bulk goods, and if necessary this capacity can be quickly extended.