Port of Antwerp, the second largest one in Europe

There is a popular saying that shows the importance of the river Scheldt for the city of Antwerp. It’s said by its inhabitants that “the Schelde River owes its existence to God, and Antwerp owes its existence to the Scheldt”. Thanks to this waterway, the port of Antwerp has become the second largest port in Europe, after the port of Rotterdam and the fourth largest port in the world.

The river is so great that the seagoing ships and large oil tankers can navigate and deliver their goods in the port area of the city. Until the nineteenth century the port was just in the entrance of the city, next to the banks of the river where it is now the Castle Steen. The port was expanded in the last century with an artificial dam, the Napoleon Dock.

During the French occupation of Belgium, Napoleon wanted to convert the port of Antwerp in a military port, from where he could strike without difficulty to England, his great rival, in case of a war.

The new port of the city is now a little more to the north of the city, between Antwerp and the border with the Netherlands. The importance of the port in the Second World War brought got this city was severely bombed by the Germans in the last years of the war, when they were at a significant disadvantage with the allied troops.

Since 1950 the use of containers has risen steadily. Antwerp is among the eight ports moving more containers in the world. Guided tours can be performed at the same time you are earing about what the port has become in recent centuries.

The port of Antwerp has a total surface area of more than 14,000 hectares and there are 57.200 people working on it. No doubt that, if you visit Antwerp, you cannot fail to go to draw near to his immense port, one of the symbols of the city and witness of great stories.