{"id":21153,"date":"2026-06-12T14:03:42","date_gmt":"2026-06-12T12:03:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/svjmedia.nl\/internationaljournalism\/?p=21153"},"modified":"2026-06-12T16:03:13","modified_gmt":"2026-06-12T14:03:13","slug":"insidetheport","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/svjmedia.nl\/internationaljournalism\/21153\/insidetheport\/","title":{"rendered":"Inside the Port of Zeebrugge"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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What becomes clear is that the story does not end with enforcement at the border.<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Photo by: William William on unsplash<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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As criminal networks adapt to increased security in major ports such as Rotterdam and Antwerp, the focus shifts further inside the system itself. It is no longer only about containers moving through global supply chains, but about the environments, people and processes that allow those flows to exist in the first place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Source: EU Drug Market \u2013 Cocaine (EUDA & Europol)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Ways of transport<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most cocaine entering Europe is transported by sea. According to the EU Drug Markets analysis on cocaine by EUDA and Europol, illegal trade is moving primarily in maritime containers along commercial trade routes between South America and Europe. Major ports such as Antwerp, Rotterdam and other large European hubs function as the main entry points because of their scale and connectivity within global logistics systems. And these are their ways:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Source: EU Drug Market \u2013 Cocaine (EUDA & Europol), \u201cEurope and the global cocaine trade\u201d, Figure 4<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Port of Zeebrugge<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zeebrugge reflects this system at ground level. It is not a single controlled border, but a large operational environment where terminals, storage zones, transport routes and container flows overlap. Thousands of workers and vehicles move through these spaces every day, all operating within tightly coordinated schedules designed to keep global trade efficient.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo’s by: Anisia de Kok<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Security measures <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Port of Antwerp-Bruges, security in and around the port is built on a combination of physical safety measures, operational procedures and digital systems designed to protect both people and activities in the port area. The port operates under international ISPS security standards, which regulate access to port facilities and ensure strict control of who enters sensitive zones. Container flows are monitored through digital platforms such as Certified Pick-Up, which helps secure and trace container movements across the logistics chain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition, port security relies on cooperation between the port authority, customs, police and private companies, supported by tools such as scanning technologies, surveillance systems and data-driven risk analysis. Countries all over the world follow, which leads to broad drugs seizures.<\/p>