The Board of Directors of Port of Antwerp-Bruges has confirmed the continued application of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for August 2025, resulting in a 1.91 per cent increase across core tariffs from 1 January 2026.
This applies to sea-going and inland vessel fees, as well as quays, land and dry dock use in Antwerp, and general port tariffs in Bruges-Zeebrugge.
Towage tariffs will rise by 1.72 per cent in Antwerp and 2.09 per cent in Zeebrugge, while waste and oil-spill tariffs remain unchanged.
A 10 per cent discount on tonnage dues will apply to vessels calling consecutively at Antwerp and Zeebrugge, increasing annually to a maximum of 50 per cent by 2030.
Bulk cargo thresholds for discount eligibility will rise, with oil increasing to 400,000 tonnes in 2026 and 500,000 tonnes by 2028, and dry bulk from 200,000 to 300,000 tonnes over the same period.
For gas, chemical, breakbulk and reefer vessels, only shipping lines will remain eligible for discounts, with voyage-charter reductions abolished.
Shortsea tanker discounts will fall to 15 per cent and 30 per cent depending on frequency but extend to all gas tankers. Non-liner gas tanker tariffs will increase by 3 per cent.
From 2027, cars, vans and trucks will be charged at the container rate rather than general cargo.
At Bruges-Zeebrugge, berthing dues will be based on cargo type, tonnage dues between inner and outer ports will be harmonised, and the gross tonnage divisor for RoRo and automotive vessels will be removed.
Containership tonnage caps will be phased out by 2028. The drinking water rate will fall from €8.25 ($9.50) to €4.13 ($4.75) per cubic metre.
Waste contributions for sea-going vessels will rise from €25 ($28.78) to €30 ($34.54) per cubic metre at both ports.
Fixed and variable waste fees in Antwerp will also increase, with a 50 per cent discount applied when the previous port of call was the sister port.
Concession fees and Brabo Group towage rates will follow the same 1.91 per cent CPI indexation.
The 2026 tariff update reflects Port of Antwerp-Bruges’ ongoing alignment of pricing mechanisms across its dual platforms, signalling a continued focus on operational standardisation and cost consistency.
The changes underscore a shift from large-scale infrastructure investment toward optimising port operations, balancing competitiveness with long-term financial sustainability.
