Grants for Maritime and Port Logistics in Belgium

Belgium is home to the Port of Antwerp-Bruges — the largest port in Europe by total throughput after Rotterdam — and the Port of Ghent (North Sea Port), a major hub for bulk cargo, chemicals, and offshore energy. These ports drive a massive logistics ecosystem that includes shipping lines, freight forwarders, warehouse operators, customs brokers, and technology companies building the next generation of port infrastructure.

The maritime and port logistics sector in Belgium is a priority area for regional and federal investment. Companies operating in or adjacent to this ecosystem can access grants for innovation, sustainability, digitalisation, and infrastructure modernisation. The funding landscape spans regional agencies (VLAIO, SPW), port-specific innovation programs, federal maritime investment, and EU programs targeting green shipping and smart logistics.

Whether you are a startup building autonomous vessel technology, an SME offering green fuel solutions, or an established logistics operator investing in digital supply chain systems, there are dedicated funding mechanisms available.

The Port of Antwerp-Bruges operates one of Europe's most active port innovation ecosystems. Through its innovation department and partnerships with accelerators, the port supports startups and SMEs developing solutions for port operations, cargo handling, energy transition, cybersecurity, and circular economy within the port area.

Port-backed innovation programs provide funding, pilot opportunities, and access to port infrastructure for testing new technologies. Companies working on drone-based inspections, AI-powered logistics optimisation, green hydrogen production, or shore power systems have found testing grounds and early customers through these programs.

The port also co-finances larger innovation projects through public-private partnerships, often in collaboration with VLAIO and European programs. If your solution addresses a real port operational challenge, the Port of Antwerp-Bruges actively scouts for innovators to partner with.

Flanders Maritime (Flanders' Blue Cluster) is the strategic cluster organisation for the maritime, offshore, and coastal economy in Flanders. It facilitates collaborative innovation projects, connects companies with research institutions, and helps members access regional and European funding.

VLAIO supports maritime companies through its standard innovation programs — R&D subsidies, feasibility studies, and the KMO Groeisubsidie for strategic growth. Maritime projects that demonstrate technological novelty and economic potential for Flanders are eligible. The Blue Cluster regularly organises calls for collaborative projects that bring together multiple companies and research partners.

For companies working on sustainability in shipping — alternative fuels, emissions reduction, energy efficiency — VLAIO and the Blue Cluster offer additional support through green innovation pathways.

The maritime sector is under intense pressure to decarbonise. Belgium has positioned itself as a hub for green shipping innovation, with grants available for companies developing or adopting alternative fuels (methanol, ammonia, hydrogen, LNG), shore power infrastructure, wind-assisted propulsion, and emissions monitoring systems.

At the EU level, the Innovation Fund and Horizon Europe finance large-scale maritime decarbonisation projects. Belgian companies have participated in EU-funded consortia working on zero-emission vessel designs, port electrification, and smart grid integration for shore power.

Regionally, both VLAIO and SPW offer enhanced support for projects with a strong sustainability dimension. The sustainability grants available in Belgium cover energy efficiency investments, renewable energy installations in port areas, and circular economy projects within the maritime value chain.

North Sea Port — the merged port of Ghent, Terneuzen, and Vlissingen — is a major hub for chemicals, steel, offshore energy, and agricultural bulk. Companies operating in this port area can access innovation support through the port authority, regional agencies, and cross-border programs given the port's unique Belgian-Dutch governance structure.

At the federal level, Belgium supports maritime investment through tax incentives (tonnage tax for shipping companies, investment deductions for maritime infrastructure) and through BELSPO programs for marine and maritime research. The federal government also supports companies involved in offshore energy installations in the Belgian North Sea zone.

Belgian companies active in port logistics should also explore the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), which funds transport infrastructure projects along the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T). Antwerp and Ghent are both TEN-T core network ports, making projects in these areas eligible for CEF co-financing.

Maritime and port logistics grants in Belgium are available to a wide range of companies: shipping lines, port terminal operators, logistics providers, maritime technology companies, offshore energy firms, and maritime service providers. Eligibility depends on the specific program — regional grants require a company presence in the region, while EU programs require consortium-based applications.

The best starting point is to identify whether your project is primarily an innovation project (new technology, new process), a sustainability project (emissions reduction, green transition), or an infrastructure project (equipment, facilities). This determines which grant category and agency to approach.

Use the BelGrant assistant to quickly identify the grants most relevant to your maritime or logistics company, or browse the full grant catalogue filtered by your region and sector.