Brussels: GIS at the Heart of Port Logistics

The Port of Belgium’s capital launches a new inland waterway mapping application for construction and logistics professionals. The tool is built on a GIS platform that has become central to structuring data and supporting operational decision-making across the Port. 

Supplying construction sites with materials while reducing urban road traffic. That is the objective behind the Port of Brussels' new inland waterway materials map. Designed as a decision-support tool, the application helps users identify material producers, transshipment locations, and operators active across Belgium’s inland waterway network, with planned expansion into northern France and the southern Netherlands. 

The initiative aims to make waterborne transport more accessible for material flows exceeding 1,000 tonnes and encourage a shift toward more sustainable transport modes in a dense urban environment. 

“It’s a tool that allows someone with little prior knowledge to immediately see that there are viable alternatives for transporting these materials,” explains Sylvain Godfroid, spokesperson for the Port of Brussels. 

By bringing this information together in a single platform, the application provides greater visibility into logistics chains while promoting a transport mode that reduces road congestion and emissions. This approach reflects the Port’s longstanding mission. Its history dates back to the sixteenth century, when the Willebroek Canal connected Brussels to the Scheldt River. Today, that legacy continues through a strategic objective: increasing the role of inland waterways in urban logistics. 

Behind this ArcGIS-powered application lies a geographic information system that has evolved into a core operational tool for the Port. Introduced in 2016, the GIS initiative originated from highly practical needs.

“Our initial goal was to structure and centralize information related to the port domain,” explains Sébastien Rigaux, surveyor and asset management specialist at the Port of Brussels.

The system also supports specific navigation-related requirements.

“We need to maintain an accurate digital representation of the canal, including its width, depth, permitted vessel speeds, and bathymetric information. This electronic navigation chart is used onboard vessels and is updated regularly,” adds Didier Michels, IT Manager.

The GIS architecture is built around a close integration between AutoCAD and, more recently, ArcGIS Pro.

“Everything starts in the drafting office. Technical plans of the port domain are created in AutoCAD and then feed GIS layers through automated workflows,” explains Rigaux, who coordinates the ongoing evolution of the GIS platform alongside his asset management responsibilities.

Today, the GIS serves as a gateway to a broad range of operational data. It is connected to Salesforce CRM, allowing users to visualize parcels, concession agreements, lease durations, and occupied surface areas.

Used by approximately 80 employees, primarily in desktop environments, the GIS has become an analytical resource for commercial teams, technical departments, and executive management.

Beyond structured operational data, the platform also plays a critical role in preserving and unlocking access to a remarkable historical archive. 

“The Port of Brussels maintains nearly 48,000 paper plans, some dating back to the early 1800s,” says Sébastien Rigaux. “A portion has already been digitized, and around 20 percent is now classified and stored in SharePoint, where it can be accessed directly through the GIS. The system is built around two primary map repositories covering the northern and southern sections of the port.” 

Indexing these archives allows technical teams to quickly access essential information about quays, infrastructure, and historical assets. 

This focus on asset management reflects the unique character of the Port itself. Covering 116 hectares, the port is organized around a fourteen-kilometre canal equipped with two locks and three movable bridges.

The maritime section can accommodate vessels exceeding 6,000 tonnes, while the southern inland section supports vessels of up to 1,300 tonnes. The Port plays a strategic role within the logistics corridor connecting Antwerp with inland destinations.

The organization employs 124 people and serves approximately 180 customers.

“Around thirty of those customers are directly linked to waterborne transport,” notes Sylvain Godfroid. “Their concession agreements are typically long-term.” 

As a result, the Port maintains an occupancy rate of 78 percent. Most of the remaining available space consists of office and warehouse facilities within a dedicated building. 

Construction materials represent the largest share of activity, supported by six concrete plants located along the quays. Petroleum products and container traffic make up the other major cargo categories. 

The GIS is also helping strengthen collaboration and knowledge sharing across the organization. Regular training sessions are organized through the Port Campus program, a series of internal events dedicated to showcasing tools and best practices to employees. 

The goal is to encourage broader adoption of the platform and reinforce its role in day-to-day operations. 

“Very often, when someone has a question, the GIS provides the answer,” summarizes Sébastien Rigaux. 

With the launch of its new inland waterway materials map, the Port of Brussels is now extending part of its information system beyond the organization itself. The initiative highlights the growing role of GIS as a platform for structuring logistics flows, supporting spatial decision-making, and enabling more sustainable urban logistics.

Application link:

Logistique fluviale dans le secteur construction - Binnenvaartlogistiek in de bouwsector