The
port of Antwerp, in
Belgium, is a
port in the
heart of Europe accessible to
capesize ships. It is Europe’s second-largest seaport and ranks among the world’s top ten. Antwerp stands at the upper end of the tidal estuary of the
Scheldt. The
estuary is navigable by ships of more than 100,000
Gross Tons as far as 80 km inland. The inland location means that the port of Antwerp enjoys a more central location in
Europe than the majority of
North Sea ports. Antwerp's docks are connected to the hinterland by rail, waterway and road. As a result the port of Antwerp has become one of Europe's largest sea ports, ranking second behind
Rotterdam by total freight shipped. Its
international rankings vary from 11th to 20th (
AAPA).