Port of Antwerp-Bruges announces revised tariffs for 2027
The Port of Antwerp-Bruges has announced changes to its port tariffs for 2027, including a general indexation of 3.97% and adjustments affecting seagoing vessels, container shipping, towage services and environmental discounts.
The revised tariffs will take effect on 1 January 2027 across the Antwerp and Bruges-Zeebrugge port areas, following approval by the Port Authority’s Board of Directors. The general increase is based on Belgium’s Consumer Price Index for August 2026, although certain services will be subject to separate adjustments.
Towage tariffs in Antwerp’s docks will increase by 3.57%, while charges for towage at Zeebrugge will rise by 2.65%, in accordance with the relevant contractual arrangements.
The Port Authority will also increase the discount on tonnage dues for vessels making consecutive calls at Antwerp and Zeebrugge from 10% to 20%, as part of its efforts to harmonise pricing arrangements between the two port areas.
Changes for container vessels and environmental discounts
For container vessels calling at Bruges-Zeebrugge, the maximum gross tonnage used to calculate applicable dues will increase from 175,000 GT to 200,000 GT in 2027.
The adjustment forms part of the port’s gradual revision of tonnage-based charging arrangements for container shipping.
The Port Authority is also introducing a standardised Environmental Ship Index (ESI) discount mechanism across Antwerp and Zeebrugge.
Under the revised structure, eligible vessels with ESI scores between 45 and 70, inclusive, will receive a 10% discount, while vessels scoring above 70 and up to 100 will qualify for a 15% reduction.
Existing restrictions linked to vessel construction year in Antwerp and the minimum discount arrangement in Zeebrugge will be abolished.
Further harmonisation measures will provide a 50% reduction for calls solely intended for bunkering for the vessel’s own use, repairs, dry docking, crew changes, empty-handed calls or degassing. Bunker vessels will qualify for a 75% reduction.
Additional adjustments across port operations
At Antwerp, berthing dues for vehicles will be aligned with those applied at Zeebrugge, with a tariff of €0.1830 per tonne from January 2027.
The port is also revising charges related to ship-generated waste. At Antwerp, the new fee will comprise a fixed charge of €400 per vessel and a variable component of €0.027 per GT, subject to a maximum of €1,750.
At Bruges-Zeebrugge, the corresponding charges will be €150 per vessel and €0.011 per GT, capped at €900.
For refrigerated containers using the border inspection post facilities on Antwerp’s left bank, a new monitoring fee of €9 per reefer container per calendar day will apply.
Concession tariffs will generally increase in line with the 3.97% indexation, unless individual agreements provide for a different mechanism. The port will also introduce an annual concession tariff of €25.99 per square metre for battery energy storage system activities.
Separately, the Port Authority has outlined new environmental charges for cruise vessels at Zeebrugge, scheduled to take effect on 1 January 2028. These include charges linked to vessel calls and passenger numbers, alongside provisions for shore power consumption and discounts for ships connecting to the electrical supply.
The revised tariff structure introduces a combination of indexed increases, specific service adjustments and harmonised charging arrangements across the two port areas.
