Formule 1 Brugge

Gateway To Europe

by Carnation

Important Port of Call
Bruges and Ostend did remain the only two seaports of the southern Netherlands for two centuries. Bruges was then linked to the sea through the Bruges-Ostend canal. At the end of the 19th century the Belgian government decided to build a new port on the coast of the North Sea and the work started in 1896 and lasted until 1905. The port was then inaugurated in 1907 and was baptized 'Zeebrugge' (Bruges-by-the-sea). In the period from 1960 till 1970 various works were carried out, like the construction of new port terrains and the building of various terminals. In the period of 1970 up to now the most important extension works were carried out - the construction of two long breakwaters, the building of extensive new quay terrains, the construction of deepwater quays, and the extension of the inner port. Both parts of the new port were linked to each other through the construction of a sealock for large vessels (up to 175.000 tdw). The new port of Zeebrugge was inaugurated by King Baudouin in 1985. Recently, especially the construction of a new container terminal (FCT) in the new western outer port has been of great importance for the future expansion of the port. Zeebrugge is one of the few ports in Western Europe that can receive the biggest container vessels. With all this expansion came the closure of the regular Ferry service for car and foot passengers.

Zeebrugge - eastern belgian coast

by Luchonda

Zeebrugge - the second most important harbour of Belgium - located between Knokke and Ostende.
Zeebrugge is in fact a container terminal receiving vessels of more than 4000 ton.!
Zeebrugge is important for transit of Cars
- Toyota/Mercedes and HONDA.
But the yearly event of sandsculptures is an
important highlight for local tourism. The mass tourism is limited because there is not that many things to see - except this festival (in competition with Blankenberge and a yearly festival called Polé Polé.

Regular Sailings

by Carnation

Walkabout
Here is my best friend Jean having a great time. She is like a mother to me. She lives in my home town and we always went to Zeebrugge together. She always bought me a small box of belgian chocolates and I always bought her some belgian biscuits!

Sand, Sea and Sunshine

by Carnation

Summertime and Beaches
In the summertimes we would spend longer in Zeebrugge and enjoy sunbathing and swimming on the beautiful sandy beaches, then take a later ferry back home.
Hopefully, one day, the service will be in operation again as I know many of the friends I made miss the fun we all had.

Zeebrugge

by brianclark

"Great Expanding Harbour and Commercial Seaport"

Zeebrugge's history as a seaport can be traced back to Viking Days.

Later it was a gateway to Brugges when a great storm opened the waterway to the City 17km distant inland. Sailing ships came from far away to trade in Brugges.

Today it is an expanding Ferry Port and Commercial Seaport.

It has a great sandy beach and plenty of seafood and also a Maritime Museum.

"Maritime Museum in Zeebrugge"

The outdoor section of Zeebrugge maritime museum has the light ship West Hinder which you can visit and also a Russian Foxtrot Class attack Submarine which was gifted at the end of the "Cold War".

"WW I Historical Monument"

A War Memorial stands close to the harbour to commemorate "The Raid on Zeebrugge" which took place on 23rd April 1918 (St Georges Day) by the Royal Navy.

Many brave men died on both sides but the object of the Raid was to close the Canal by sinking "block ships" at the entrance to the Canal to stop Submarines coming into the North Sea.