Data Centers in Antwerp

Antwerp – Strategic Resilience for Global Trade Infrastructure

Executive Summary

Antwerp is the specialized hub for industrial and logistics firms requiring high-uptime colocation near the second largest port in Europe. This market provides a stable, low-risk environment for mission-critical infrastructure while maintaining efficient links to European financial centers. A deployment here secures proximity to the heart of global maritime trade without the premium costs of primary FLAP markets.

Antwerp: At A Glance

Network & Connectivity Ecosystem

Antwerp functions as a vital secondary node in the European digital map, providing essential redundancy for the primary hubs of the FLAP region.

Carrier Density & Carrier Neutrality: Carrier count: over 20 as of September 2025. With 6 data centers and 5 providers, the market offers a diverse range of fiber routes, primarily supporting the logistics and maritime sectors.

Direct Cloud On-Ramps: Over 0, enabling access to 0 cloud regions as of September 2025. While local direct on-ramps are absent, the market connects seamlessly to Brussels. This allows for low-latency private extensions to AWS, Google Cloud (GCP), and Microsoft Azure via regional fiber backbones.

Internet Exchange Points (IXPs): Most peering occurs via BNIX in nearby Brussels, which acts as the primary gateway for domestic and international traffic exchange.

Bare Metal: General availability is provided through international players such as OVHcloud and Leaseweb, offering scalable hardware options without long-term capital expenditure.

Power Analysis

Antwerp benefits from Belgium's diversified energy strategy, providing the stability required for 24/7 industrial operations.

Average Cost Of Power: Industrial electricity is priced at €0.09/kWh as of August 2025. This rate remains competitive within Western Europe, helping operators manage overhead while maintaining high uptime standards.

Power Grid Reliability: The grid is well-engineered and relies on a mix of approximately 40% nuclear and 30% renewable sources. This diversified generation provides resilient, multi-substation support for the city’s major data center corridors.

Market Access, Business & Tax Climate

Antwerp offers a unique value proposition for businesses integrated into the global supply chain.

Proximity To Key Business Districts: Data centers are located near the Port of Antwerp, a global maritime powerhouse. This proximity is vital for low-latency processing of logistics data and Internet of Things (IoT) applications in the chemical and manufacturing sectors.

Regional Market Reach: A deployment here effectively serves the entire Benelux region and Northern France, reaching millions of consumers and thousands of industrial enterprises within a small millisecond window.

Tax Advantage For Data Centers: While no specific data center tax incentives exist, the stable regulatory environment allows for predictable long-term financial planning. Businesses can rely on consistent VAT applications and transparent commercial laws to protect infrastructure investments.

Natural Disaster Risk

The overall risk for Antwerp is rated as Low (2.6) as of September 2025. The region is geologically stable, making it an excellent site for disaster recovery and long-term data storage.

• Coastal Flood (7.7): Significant regional risk due to port proximity, although managed by advanced national flood defense systems.
• River Flood (6.2): Moderate risk managed through extensive canal and lock infrastructure.
• Earthquake (2.9): Minor risk; seismic activity is rare and typically low-magnitude.
• Drought (1.3): Negligible risk with minimal impact on data center cooling operations.

Other natural hazards such as Tsunami and Tropical Cyclone are rated as zero or not material for this location. All figures are reported as of September 2025.