In February 2021, the City of Antwerp and the City of Bruges announced the launch of the merger process for their respective ports. Following the signing of the shareholders’ agreement of the unified port company on 22 April 2022, the ports of Antwerp and Zeebrugge operate under one name Port of Antwerp-Bruges.
As the ports of Antwerp and Zeebrugge are complementary, the Port of Antwerp-Bruges combines the best of both ports and focuses on the strong points of each port. For example, Antwerp has strengths in handling and storing containers, breakbulk and chemical products. At the same time, Zeebrugge is a major port for RoRo traffic, container handling, and liquid natural gas transshipment. Therefore, both ports work more closely together for the sustainable growth of their market shares.