UN/LOCODE: NLBZM📍 Netherlands
Port of Bergen op Zoom (UN/LOCODE NLBZM)
❖ Coordinates: 51.5000°N, 4.3000°E
❖ Time Zone: Europe/Amsterdam
❖ UN/LOCODE: NLBZM
## About the Port
**Port Name:** Bergen op Zoom
**UN/LOCODE:** NLBZM
**Country:** Netherlands
**Province/Region:** North Brabant
**Timezone:** Europe/Amsterdam (UTC+1 / UTC+2 DST)
**Geographical Coordinates:** 51.5° N, 4.3° E
Bergen op Zoom is a midsize river‑sea port situated on the western edge of the province of North Brabant, near the confluence of the **Bergse Meren** and the **Bergse Kanaal** waterways. The port lies within the “Scheldt‑Rhine” corridor, a strategic logistics axis that links the North Sea to the interior of the Benelux region and the greater European hinterland. Its natural deep‑water access, combined with well‑developed hinterland connections (rail, motorways A58/A16 and proximity to the **Betuwe** freight corridor), enables the handling of bulk, break‑bulk, containerised, and specialized cargoes.
The port’s authority, **Havenbedrijf Bergen op Zoom**, is a public‑private partnership that oversees berthing allocation, customs clearance, and the continuous development of terminal infrastructure. The port operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and its services are fully integrated with the **Dutch Customs (Douane)** system, allowing for streamlined import‑export procedures.
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## History
### Early Origins (13th – 17th century)
Bergen op Zoom’s maritime relevance dates back to the medieval period when the settlement emerged as a fortified market town on the defensive “Moer” ridge. The first recorded harbor activities appear in the 13th century, when the city obtained **city rights** and a market charter that permitted the loading of regional agricultural produce onto river barges bound for Antwerp and Rotterdam.
### Golden Age of Trade (17th – 18th century)
During the Dutch Golden Age, the **Bergse Kanaal** (constructed 1610‑1625) transformed the town into a modest but vital transshipment node for the **VOC** (Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnie) and **WIC** (West-Indische Compagnie). Grain, timber, and later, **sugar** from the Caribbean colonies were funneled through the port to inland markets. The city’s coat of arms, featuring a sword (“Zoom”) over a **berg** (hill), symbolizes its defensive and commercial role.
### Industrial Expansion (19th – early 20th century)
The 19th century saw the advent of steam navigation and the opening of the **Bergse Stads** railway line (1885). These developments spurred the establishment of shipyards, grain silos, and a modest **oil terminal**. By 1910, the port accommodated over 1 million tonnes of cargo annually, primarily coal, iron ore, and agricultural goods.
### World Wars and Post‑War Reconstruction
World War II inflicted considerable damage on the port’s infrastructure; the **Bergsche Stoomvaart** (steamship) facilities were partially demolished during the 1944 liberation battles. Post‑war reconstruction, funded by the **Marshall Plan**, prioritized dredging the navigation channel to a depth of 7 m and installing mechanised cargo handling equipment, laying the groundwork for modernisation.
### Contemporary Developments (1990 – present)
Since the 1990s, the port has pursued a diversification strategy, attracting **chemicals, automotive parts**, and **renewable‑energy components**. In 2008, the **Bergen op Zoom Logistics Park** was inaugurated, offering over 150 ha of ready‑built warehousing with direct rail sidings. The port’s latest expansion (2022) included a **deep‑water dock** capable of berthing vessels up to 120 m LOA and a **green‑energy** installation (10 MW solar array) to meet EU sustainability targets.
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## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Docks & Quays
| Facility | Length (m) | Depth (m) | Primary Cargo |
|----------|------------|-----------|----------------|
| Main Berth (Berth 1) | 250 | 9.5 | Container, Ro‑Ro |
| Bulk Dock (Berth 2) | 180 | 7.0 | Grain, Coal, Minerals |
| Chemical Terminal | 120 | 8.0 | Petrochemicals, LPG |
| Multi‑Purpose Quay | 150 | 6.5 | General cargo, Project cargo |
All berths are equipped with **elektronische kadeheffing** (electronic quay cranes) and shore power (cold‑irradiation) connections, facilitating **zero‑emission** vessel stays.
### Cargo Handling Equipment
- **5 × Goliath gantry cranes** (45 t lifting capacity)
- **12 × mobile harbour cranes** (30 t)
- **20 × reach stackers** for container lanes
- **Automated conveyor belts** (10 km total length) for bulk commodities
- **Cold storage** (12 000 m³) supporting perishable goods
The port also operates a **dedicated Ro‑Ro ramp** capable of handling up to 350 0‑tonne vehicles per day, making it a hub for automotive logistics between the German and French markets.
### Hinterland Connectivity
- **Rail:** Direct connections to the Dutch national rail network (NS) with **two dedicated freight lines** linking to the Betuwe freight corridor (Nijmegen‑Eindhoven).
- **Road:** Access to the A58 (Bergen op Zoom‑Eindhoven) and A16 (Antwerp‑Rotterdam) motorways, with **four dedicated container‑truck lanes**.
- **Inland Waterways:** The port lies on the **Scheldt‑Rhine** inland waterway (European Class II), allowing 1,350‑tonne barges to reach Rotterdam and Antwerp directly.
### Ancillary Services
- **Customs clearance** through the “Single Window” portal (Dutch Customs).
- **Pilotage** and **tug‑assist** services (2 Ocean‑class tugs, 2 harbor tugs).
- **Ship repair & shipyard** capabilities (dry dock 80 m × 12 m).
- **Logistics & value‑added services:** Packing, labeling, quality inspection, and **cold‑chain management**.
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## Economic Importance
### Contribution to Regional GDP
Bergen op Zoom’s port activity contributes **approximately €1.2 billion** to the North Brabant regional GDP (≈ 2.4 % of total provincial output). The port directly employs **≈ 2,800** personnel, with an indirect employment multiplier of 2.5, supporting **≈ 7,000** jobs in logistics, transport, and ancillary services.
### Trade Volume & Turnover
- **Annual cargo throughput (2023):** 4.3 million tonnes
- **Container volume:** 180 000 TEU (twenty‑foot equivalent units)
- **Bulk commodities:** 2.1 million tonnes (grain, coal, minerals)
The port’s **value‑added services** (packaging, assembly, testing) generate an additional €300 million in revenue, positioning Bergen op Zoom as a niche hub for **light‑manufacturing** and **supply‑chain consolidation**.
### Strategic Position within the EU
Located within the **Trans-European Transport Network (TEN‑T) corridor TEN‑T 20**, the port serves as a **gateway for inland distribution** to the Benelux and Greater Germany (NRW) regions. Its proximity to the **Port of Rotterdam** and **Port of Antwerp** enables synergistic “dual‑port” operations, offering shippers flexible routing options to balance capacity, cost, and environmental constraints.
### Sustainability & Innovation
The port has embraced the EU’s **Green Deal** by installing a **10 MW solar PV farm** (2022) and launching a **zero‑emission pilot** for electric‑powered inland vessels. In partnership with **TNO (Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research)**, Bergen op Zoom is piloting an **AI‑driven berth allocation system**, forecasted to reduce vessel waiting time by 15 % and cut CO₂ emissions by 0.8 kt per year.
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## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Primary Trade Corridors
| Destination | Route | Typical Vessel Type |
|-------------|-------|---------------------|
| Rotterdam, NL | BZ‑Rotterdam waterway (7 h) | Feeder, Container |
| Antwerp, BE | BZ‑Antwerp waterway (6 h) | Feeder, Bulk |
| Hamburg, DE | Rhine‑Main‑Danube (3 days) | River barge |
| London, GB | North Sea (2 days) | Short‑sea container |
| Mediterranean (Genoa, Barcelona) | North Sea → English Channel → Atlantic → Strait of Gibraltar (9–11 days) | Small to medium container ships |
| East Asia (Shanghai, Singapore) | Direct deep‑water calling (via Rotterdam/Antwerp) | Ultra‑large container ship (U LCS) |
The port’s **multimodal** emphasis fosters rapid transshipment from ocean‑going vessels to **inland barges** (up to 1,350 t) and **rail freight**, offering a “door‑to‑door” solution for time‑critical cargo.
### Dominant Cargo Types
- **Grain & Feedstuffs:** 1.1 million tonnes (primarily wheat and corn) sourced from the North Sea region and exported to Eastern Europe.
- **Petrochemical Products:** 600 000 t of refined fuels, LPG, and specialty chemicals for the Dutch and German downstream industries.
- **Automotive Components:** 85 000 t of precision‑machined parts (engine blocks, suspension systems) for OEMs in Germany and France.
- **Renewable‑Energy Components:** 40 000 t of solar panels, wind‑turbine blades, and battery packs—reflecting the port’s alignment with EU clean‑energy goals.
- **Containerised General Merchandise:** Consumer electronics, textiles, and furniture, accounting for 180 000 TEU annually.
### Emerging Markets
The port is actively courting **e‑commerce fulfilment** operators, leveraging its **logistics park** to host **last‑mile distribution centres**. Additionally, a **hydrogen‑fuel‑cell** handling terminal is under feasibility study, targeting the nascent **Hydrogen Backbone** project funded by the European Commission.
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*For detailed, up‑to‑date statistics, see the official port authority’s annual report (2023) and the European Maritime Transport Outlook (EU‑IMO).*
*External References:*
- World Port Source – Bergen op Zoom↗ – Comprehensive port data and connectivity overview.
- Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management – Port Development Policies↗ – Official policy framework guiding Dutch port modernization and sustainability initiatives.
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
NLBZM
Country
Netherlands
Province / Region
North Brabant
Latitude
51.500000
Longitude
4.300000
Timezone
Europe/Amsterdam
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Bergen op Zoom?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Bergen op Zoom is NLBZM.
Where is Port of Bergen op Zoom located?
The Port of Bergen op Zoom is located in Netherlands, North Brabant. Its coordinates are 51.5000°N, 4.3000°E.
What time zone is Port of Bergen op Zoom in?
Port of Bergen op Zoom operates in the Europe/Amsterdam time zone.
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About the World Port Index
This data is sourced programmatically. The UN/LOCODE is the official geographic coding scheme used by the United Nations for trade and transport locations.
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