Port de Bruxelles – Haven van Brussel

“A city’s pulse,” mused old Jacques, gesturing towards the Port de Bruxelles – Haven van Brussel. “That’s what this is, the lifeblood of Brussels.” The Port de Bruxelles – Haven van Brussel, a mere 120 kilometers from the sea, welcomed ships weighing up to 4,500 tonnes. Even larger push towing convoys, reaching 9,000 tonnes, could navigate its waters. The Brussels-Scheldt Maritime Canal allowed access for sea-going vessels. Meanwhile, the Brussels-Charleroi Canal connected the port to Wallonia. Situated within the City of Brussels, the Port de Bruxelles – Haven van Brussel played a vital role in the region’s economy. Despite its modest 64 hectares, the port area housed approximately 300 companies, providing around 13,000 jobs. The history of the Port de Bruxelles – Haven van Brussel intertwined with the Willebroek Canal, opened in 1561. Within the old city walls, a series of canals and docks once existed. Each dock specialized in a specific type of good, creating a vibrant hub of commerce. These basins were eventually filled in the late 19th century. This made way for the new port outside the city center. The street names, however, still echoed the area’s rich maritime past. The modern Port de Bruxelles – Haven van Brussel emerged in 1993. It resulted from the division of the N.V. Zeekanaal into Flemish and Brussels institutions. This new autonomy injected dynamism into the port. It saw a 60% increase in traffic after a period of decline. Over 24 million tonnes of goods were handled annually. Rail and road transport accounted for the majority of the traffic. The waterway transit managed over 6.6 million tonnes. The Brussels-Capital Region held the majority share (56%). The City of Brussels followed closely behind with 35%.