How to Overcome Last Mile Challenges in Brussels, Antwerp, and Ghent

TL;DR: Belgium’s major cities face intense last-mile delivery constraints: narrow streets, traffic congestion, pedestrian and noise restrictions, and strict Low Emission Zones (LEZ) all slow urban deliveries. In Brussels, time windows (only 4–11 a.m.) limit building loading activities, while Antwerp’s 24/7 LEZ bans older diesel/petrol vehicles in the city center brusselstimes.com trans.info. Ghent has a city-wide LEZ (Euro 5+ diesel only) and expanding car-free zones trans.info.

To cope, logistics firms deploy electric fleets and cargo bikes (bpost now runs >1,500 Ghent deliveries per day with e-bikes/vans press.bpost.be), and set up micro-distribution hubs (e.g. DHL’s Antwerp CityHub en.flows.be) and dense pickup point networks (bpost’s 45 pickup locations in Ghent press.bpost.be). Consumers demand speed and sustainability (60% prefer eco-friendly delivery ingrid.com), a trend reinforced by new Belgian law (Sept 2024) requiring webshops to offer a green option at checkout ingrid.com landmarkglobal.com. Municipal pilot programs (Ghent’s e-vehicle trials urban-mobility-observatory.transport.ec.europa.eu) and “Green Deals” (regional logistics pacts) encourage zero-emission methods cleancitiescampaign.org.

Together, these strategies – optimizing routes, switching to e-vehicles, using cargo bikes and lockers, and leveraging public support – help improve last-mile performance in Belgium’s dense cities.

What unique delivery challenges do Brussels, Antwerp and Ghent face?

Quick Answer: Each city has its own mix of congestion, narrow medieval streets, pedestrian zones and environmental restrictions. Brussels’ core allows goods loading only 4–11 a.m. brusselstimes.com, Antwerp enforces one of Europe’s strictest LEZs on every vehicle 24/7 trans.info, and Ghent maintains city-wide traffic limits and LEZ rules. All three see heavy commuter traffic and growing e-commerce demand, plus noise and parking rules, which together slow deliveries ffdcargo.be trans.info.

In detail, Brussels, Antwerp and Ghent are extremely dense, historic cities. Many streets are narrow or pedestrian-only, so large trucks often cannot enter or must double-park. All three cities have extensive pedestrian zones and car-free areas: for example, Brussels’ newly pedestrianized center bars cars entirely (no parking, deliveries only 4–11 a.m.) brusselstimes.com. Antwerp and Ghent likewise have large restricted districts, limiting vehicle routes.

Traffic congestion is severe: one study noted Brussels drivers spend an average of over 3 days per year stuck in traffic brusselstimes.com. On top of that, Low Emission Zones (LEZ) ban older polluting vehicles – Antwerp’s city-center LEZ (since 2017) covers ~20 km² and restricts diesel Euro0–3 trans.info. Ghent’s LEZ (effective 2020) covers its centre with strict Euro 5+ rules trans.info. These policies force fleets to pre-consolidate or switch vehicles, and local noise/parking rules often forbid night deliveries, making last-mile logistics uniquely challenging ffdcargo.be trans.info.

Key Points:

• Narrow, congested cores: Historic city centers with limited road space slow vans and cause parking shortages ffdcargo.be larryvsharry.com.
• Strict LEZ enforcement: Antwerp’s LEZ is 24/7 for all trucks (banning older diesels) trans.info; Ghent’s LEZ (since 2020) covers its center trans.info.
• Time-of-day restrictions: In Brussels’ pedestrian zone, loading/unloading allowed only 4–11 a.m. brusselstimes.com.
• Pedestrian & noise rules: Expanding car-free areas (e.g. Ghent’s circulation plan) limit access and hours.
• High delivery demand: Rising e‑commerce and consumer expectations for fast, green service ingrid.com.

How do LEZs and traffic rules affect deliveries?

Quick Answer: Low‑Emission Zones force carriers to use greener vehicles (electric or newer Euro‑class) or forego city‑center deliveries; time windows and noise curfews further restrict delivery hours. Brussels, Antwerp and Ghent all have 24/7 LEZs with strict Euro‑class standards trans.info trans.info. Brussels’ pedestrian core allows goods vehicles only before 11 a.m. brusselstimes.com. Carriers must adapt (e‑vans, cargo bikes) or face fines (€150–€350 or daily passes) trans.info.

Since Sept 2024, Belgian law also requires webshops to offer green delivery options (lockers, pickup) ingrid.com landmarkglobal.com. All these rules combine to reshape last‑mile logistics in dense urban cores.

• 24/7 LEZ bans: Antwerp bans Euro <4 diesel & petrol, Ghent allows only Euro 5/6 diesels or better trans.info.
• Restricted delivery hours: Brussels central zone loading allowed only 4–11 a.m. daily brusselstimes.com.
• Legal green mandates: National law (Sept 2024) forces online retailers to offer at least one sustainable delivery option ingrid.com landmarkglobal.com.
• Fines and compliance: Non‑compliant vehicles pay €150–€350 or must obtain day passes; carriers are switching to low‑emission fleets.

What infrastructure limits impact city deliveries?

Quick Answer: Limited parking/loading space forces trucks to double‑park or circle. Companies build micro‑hubs and dense pickup networks to adapt: DHL’s Antwerp CityHub consolidates shipments, and bpost uses 45 pickup sites in Ghent to avoid curbside stops.

Urban density means few official loading zones: trucks must often stop in bike lanes or block traffic. To adapt, logistics firms locate micro‑distribution hubs just outside restricted zones and shuttle goods inward via electric vehicles. For example, DHL opened a CityHub near Antwerp’s core to feed electric vans en.flows.be. bpost offers 45 local offices/lockers in Ghent—about one every 400 m—to speed routes and reduce home stops press.bpost.be.

Key Points:

• Scarce curb space: Historic streets provide few loading bays, causing delays.
• Micro‑hubs & CityHubs: DHL’s Antwerp CityHub consolidates for final-mile e‑van delivery en.flows.be.
• Pickup networks: bpost’s 45 Ghent locations reduce home visits press.bpost.be.
• Consolidation grants: Ghent offers €6,000 per operator for local last-mile providers urban-mobility-observatory.transport.ec.europa.eu.
• Long‑term planning: Cities redesign loading zones within tight street environments.

How are companies and startups innovating in Belgian cities?

Major logistics players have introduced low‑emission fleets and new delivery schemes. bpost delivers over 1,500 parcels daily in Ghent using only electric bikes and vans—82 mail carriers covering 605 km by bike and 1,146 km by e‑van per day, all zero‑emission press.bpost.be. DHL Express serves Antwerp’s centre exclusively via electric vehicles from its Blue Gate CityHub, aiming for full metro coverage by 2030 en.flows.be.

Innovative carriers like FFD Cargo use AI route‑planning, e‑vehicles, and micro‑hubs tailored to LEZ and time‑window rules ffdcargo.be. Proximus uses cargo bikes to resupply city shops, reducing CO₂ emissions proximus.com. Studies show cargo‑bike services in Brussels are twice as fast and up to 98% cleaner than vans larryvsharry.com.

Key Points:

• bpost: 82 riders in Ghent; e‑bikes + e‑vans; aiming for city-wide zero‑emission by 2030 press.bpost.be.
• DHL Express: Antwerp deliveries via e‑vans from a new CityHub; metro‑area goal by 2030 en.flows.be.
• Innovative carriers: FFD Cargo and startups employ micro‑consolidation and optimized routing ffdcargo.be.
• Tech firms: Proximus and others use cargo bikes for low‑carbon resupply proximus.com.
• Cargo‑bike efficiency: E‑cargo bikes deliver faster and greener in dense areas larryvsharry.com.

What alternative delivery models are used?

Quick Answer: Urban carriers mix cargo bikes, e‑vans, lockers and pickup systems. Cargo bikes are best in cores (10.1 stops/hour vs 4.9 for vans in Brussels). Electric vans carry bulk loads. Parcel lockers/pick‑up points (~1,000 lockers & 3,000 outlets nationally) dramatically reduce door‑to‑door stops, with locker/bike combos often used for the last hop.

Key Points:

• E‑cargo bikes: Faster & emission‑free (Brussels data: 2× faster than vans) larryvsharry.com.
• Electric vans: For larger loads; bpost uses 38 e‑vans in Ghent press.bpost.be.
• Lockers & pickup: ~1,000 lockers, 3,000 pickup points; Belgian law mandates sustainable options landmarkglobal.com.
• Mixed modes: Vans to hub, then bikes/trikes for core delivery; some skip vans completely.
• Other models: Secure lockers reduce failed home deliveries.

What public support or barriers exist?

Quick Answer: Belgian cities offer incentives and pilot funding for clean delivery, though regulations can be burdensome. Ghent provides free trials and €6,000 grants; Flanders signed a Green Deal in 2019, and Brussels followed in 2023. However, strict permitting, LEZ registration, and limited loading zones remain challenges.

Key Points:

• Green Deals: Flanders logistics pact (2019) and Brussels urban logistics deal (2023) cleancitiescampaign.org.
• Grants & pilots: Ghent supports e‑van/bike trials and €6,000 subsidies urban-mobility-observatory.transport.ec.europa.eu.
• Regulatory programs: Simplified EV permits and parking/loading rules.
• Barriers: LEZ registration, admin hurdles, and few dedicated loading zones.
• EU support: EU e‑fleet procurement and urban logistics funding bolster efforts.

How do consumer expectations drive delivery performance?

Quick Answer: Belgian consumers expect fast (48‑hour standard), flexible and green delivery. 60% prefer eco‑friendly options; 25% boycott brands lacking green choices. Since Sept 2024, law requires at least one green option at checkout. Carriers now offer home, locker, bike options with tracking.

Key Points:

• Fast delivery norm: 48‑hour is baseline; same‑day on the rise ingrid.com.
• Green preference: 60% prefer eco‑friendly options; 25% have boycotted brands ingrid.com.
• Multiple options: Home, locker or in‑store pickup now standard landmarkglobal.com.
• Legal push: Since Sept 2024, law mandates green delivery choices ingrid.com landmarkglobal.com.
• Market response: Green fleets and tracking are marketed as brand differentiators.

FAQ

Q: What is a Low Emission Zone (LEZ)?

A: A LEZ is an area (often city centre) where only vehicles that meet certain Euro emission standards are allowed. In Belgian cities, LEZs are enforced 24/7. For example, Antwerp’s LEZ (since 2017) bans Euro 0–3 diesels and oldest petrol cars; non-compliant vehicles must pay fines or day‑passes, which pushes carriers toward electric or compliant trucks trans.info.

Q: Why are cargo bikes often used for city deliveries?

A: E-cargo bikes are faster and cheaper in narrow, congested streets. Brussels studies show bikes take 30% shorter routes and make ~2× more stops/hour than vans, with ~98% lower emissions larryvsharry.com. They eliminate parking delays and serve core zones efficiently.

Q: How are parcel lockers and pick‑up points useful?

A: Lockers and pick-up points allow one stop to serve many customers. bpost has 26 lockers in Ghent alone press.bpost.be. These hubs boost route efficiency, reduce failed deliveries, and give customers flexible collection times.

Q: What effect will the new Belgian delivery law have?

A: Starting Sept 2024, Belgian webshops must offer at least two delivery options at checkout, including one green option (locker or bike). This encourages carriers to promote their eco‑friendly services ingrid.com landmarkglobal.com.

Q: How will last‑mile logistics change by 2030?

A: Major carriers aim for nearly 100% zero‑emission fleets in cities by 2030. Belgian companies like bpost and DHL are scaling EVs and cargo bikes; municipal Green Deals set 2030 emission-free goals. Expect far fewer diesel vans, more micro‑hubs, smarter routing—and continued rise of e-commerce parcel volumes press.bpost.be cleancitiescampaign.org.