Study on the Economic Importance of Flemish Ports

The purpose of this contract is to conduct a study on the economic significance of the Flemish ports. Until 2022, the National Bank of Belgium published an annual report on the 'Economic Importance of Belgian Ports.' This study served as a key reference for understanding the importance of the ports for the region, Flanders, and Belgium for 30 years. It provided a scientifically grounded methodology to assess the effects on added value, employment, and investments, categorized into maritime and non-maritime clusters, as well as direct and indirect effects, with data dating back to 1995. The study was crucial not only for illustrating the societal role of the ports but also for positioning them in an international context. The National Bank of Belgium will no longer continue this study. Given the objective assessment of the economic importance based on unique and socially relevant source material, the Flemish government intends to commission a new study to fill this gap.