A strategic location

Thanks to Zeeland's strategic location between the ports of Rotterdam and Antwerp and the congestion-free hinterland connections via water, road and rail, one can access this European consumer market relatively quickly.

Large chemical companies, agro food and the offshore sector all depend on the proper supply and distribution of raw materials and products. The cross-border port of Zeeland is not only one of the Netherlands' main ports, but is one of the largest in Europe as well. It also creates extra commodity flows in the region.

All these assets make Zeeland a smart choice for logistics companies looking to open a new distribution center or expand their business.
All you need to know about logistics in Zeeland

Why Zeeland is the hotspot for logistics

Here we give you the most important reasons of why Zeeland is the hotspot for logistics.

Zeeland boasts a wide range of logistics operations, many of them focused on key sectors in Zeeland.

Agrifood

  • Onions: volume-wise this is the largest export product in the Netherlands. 80% of Dutch onion production and processing takes place in Zeeland with Kruiningen as the absolute onion center of the Netherlands.
  • (Fruit) juices: Zeeland has the largest port in the Netherlands for the harvesting and transshipment of conventionally grown fruit. The port even has its own Food Port in Vlissingen (the Bijleveldhaven) which is a thriving center of specialists in the processing, storage and transshipment of food products and reefer containers.
  • Potatoes: Zeeland is not only a major producer of potatoes and potato products, more and more potatoes are transshipped from Zeeland via the port of Vlissingen.
  • Seafood: Zeeland has a long history in seafood. In fact, many Zeeland entrepreneurs are leaders not only in the breeding and cultivation of seafood but also in its storage and transportation. This makes Zeeland an important logistics and distribution center for seafood.

Dedicated terminals for agrifood: Kloosterboer, ZZColdstores.

Offshore

Over the years, Zeeland has built up a strong offshore cluster. Logistics service providers in Zeeland have extensive experience when it comes to the storage and transshipment of various types of large objects for the offshore industry. Plus, they have specialist knowledge in the assembly of parts.

Dedicated terminals for offshore: Bow Terminal, Verbrugge Terminals, Mammoet

Contractors: Heerema, Damen Shiprepair and Conversion, VDS Staalbouw


Process industry

More than 250 logistics and industrial companies are located in the port of Zeeland as well as dedicated business parks such as the Valuepark Terneuzen and the Maintenance Valuepark. These locations are aimed at companies with a clear added value for the (maintenance function in the) process industry. They are the perfect base for companies looking to enter the European market or to expand their position in this market.

Logistics companies: KatoenNatie, Ravago, Bertschi

  • A4 near Tholen
  • New lock Terneuzen
  • Seine-Scheldt inland waterway

  • Flushing Servicepark
  • Business Park A4 Tholen
  • De Poort Rilland
  • Terneuzen Zuid
  • Hogeweg Hulst

Port authority North Sea Port manages and operates the ports of Vlissingen and Terneuzen (Zeeland, the Netherlands) and Ghent (Belgium).

Together the ports of Vlissingen and Terneuzen form the third major port of the Netherlands, which is also one of the fastest growing ports in Europe after the ports of Rotterdam and Amsterdam. Combined with the port of Ghent, the total port of North Sea Port is one of the ten main ports of Europe.

Deep and central port

The ports lie close to international shipping routes for container transport and are ideally suited for the congestion-free delivery and distribution of containers. The maximum draught of 16.5 meters means that even the largest of vessels can access the port.

Multimodal

North Sea Port offers multiple multimodal terminals with regular liner services. These multimodal terminals offer at least three transport modes at the terminal.

Growth potential

The port area is home to some 200 companies which are active in industry, logistics and maritime services. Together, they are responsible for roughly 18% of the total employment in the province of Zeeland.

Expansion means that this percentage will continue to increase. The ports which make up North Sea Port offer room to grow.

Container terminal

Over the next few years, transshipment facilities for shipping containers in the Zeeland ports will be expanding and there are also plans to build modern specialized container terminals. This will provide shipping companies, shippers, recipients and many other parties in the logistics chain with plenty of opportunities to grow.

Proposition Logistics Zeeland

Contact us

We are here to help

The logistic sector in Zeeland provides many opportunities. We help you to capitalize on those opportunities.

Remco de Rijke

Project manager Logistics and Energy

Rick Suurmond

Projectmanager Logistiek

Mariko Rouw

Programmamanager logistiek & energie