With 2,328,198 TEU’s handled every year and a network of regular intercontinental services, Zeebrugge is one of the main container ports in Europe.

The two large container terminals are located in the outer port, namely the Container Handling Zeebrugge (CHZ.)  with regular services catered for by Evergreen, CMA-CGM, P&O Nedlloyd/Contship and the APM Terminals Zeebrugge (operational since 2006). 

Other terminals, such as the roro and fruit terminals, are also equipped for handling containers.The containers are conveyed to/from the European hinterland by feeder ships, Rhine barges, shuttle trains and trucks.

Its location on the sea and the great depths in the access channel and along the quays all mean that large container vessels can be accommodated rapidly and without time loss, including the modern + 15,000 TEU container ships. Anyhow, Zeebrugge is one of the few European ports that can handle such vessels.

Many large shipping companies and international consortia are currently examining the expediency of using Zeebrugge as an alternative to other ports in Europe. The private transhipment companies in the port of Antwerp rightly assess the possibilities offered by Zeebrugge in that respect and are aiming for a strategic alliance with Zeebrugge. Some are already active here and concession agreements have been requested to build additional container terminals.