ZEEBRUGGE PORT AUTHORITY

The port of Zeebrugge is managed by the Port authority/MBZ nv. This company is an autonomous company regulated by public law, the city of Bruges being the main shareholder. The company was established in 1895. The Port authority determines the port policy and is responsible for the technical, nautical and commercial aspects of the port management. The port of Zeebrugge is developed in a sustainable way. People, planet and profit are kept in balance.

The Port authority is responsible for large infrastructure works such as the construction of quay walls and jetties, terrain paving and road works. Also the maintenance of this infrastructure lies within its competence. Port terrains are given into concession to private operators. The private companies load and unload the ships of their clients and offer them storage facilities. In addition to the concessions, the Port authority has two other main sources of revenue : the duty on vessel tonnage and the duty on the vessel cargo.

The control of the maritime traffic, the operation of the bridges and locks and the surveillance and security within the port borders fall within the competence of the Harbour Masters Office.

www.portofzeebrugge.be

MIRG EX is an international joint partnership. Safety Region Zeeland (NL), which brings together crisis management, fire fighters and medical assistance, is lead partner. The other partners in the project are: the Fire Brigades of Antwerp, Beveren and Ghent (BE). These brigades are linked to important international ports, that accommodate large chemical production plants. Being able to effectively fight fires on board ships is simply essential. In addition to the fire brigades, the Federal Organisation of Public Civil Assistance in Brugge, the Agency for Maritime and Coastal Services-Shipping Assistance Division and the Maatschappij van de Brugse Zeehaven nv (Zeebrugge Port Authority) are partners in the MIRG-EX project. The French Service départemental d’incendie et de secours de Pas-de-Calais and the English Kent Fire and Rescue Service complete the partnership. Both are confronted with heavy traffic on the Channel and the North Sea. An incident may be just around the corner, but this doesn’t mean it can be easily reached let alone be dealt with. Working with similar teams on both shores, reduces will help to reduce response time.