De ontwikkeling van de Belgische zeehavens: een groei naar de zee

Abstract

Belgian Ports: A Constant Growth towards the Sea During more than two centuries the ports of Antwerp, Bruges and Ghent had no direct access to the sea. Only after 1795 (Treaty of The Hague) new initiatives could be taken to restore the much needed maritime connection. The ports expanded rapidly. At first, this expansion was only aimed at the accommodation of sailing ships, but from about 1875 new developments were necessary to respond to the advent of steamboats. After the Second World War a further transformation of the ports reflected the impact of the new transportation technologies and the development of modern industry and commerce.