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Zeebrugge, Belgium – November 04, 2025
Construction of Europe’s first fully automated multi-storage garage will soon begin at ICO in the port of Zeebrugge. This innovative project is the result of a unique collaboration between three leading parties: ICO, stow Group, and Ceratec.
The new multi-storage garage will be built on a 5-hectare site and will accommodate approximately 10,000 vehicles. This expansion will allow ICO to increase its annual processing capacity from 2.5 million to 3 million vehicles.
What makes this project unique is the complete automation of the parking system. A total of 10 automatic cranes will be used to efficiently move vehicles within the rack systems. The decision to use two separate buildings and a spread-out crane structure was made deliberately to ensure the safety of the fire services at all times.
stow Group is responsible for the entire steel construction of the garage, including the innovative rack system in which vehicles are stored. Ceratec, in turn, provides the automation of this rack system via VIN recognition, allowing vehicles to be automatically inserted into and removed from the system. Additionally, integration with ICO’s Terminal Operating System (TOS) is planned, enabling all movements and processes to be monitored and controlled in real-time.
“In collaboration with the ICO team, we developed a groundbreaking solution that will set the standard for similar projects in the future,” said Philip De Bruyn, Executive Chairman at Ceratec. “We are proud of our role in this innovative project, which is the result of our unique and multidisciplinary engineering skills.”
“With this project, we are taking an important step in the further technological development of our terminal,” says Alain Guillemyn, Managing Director at ICO. “By investing in advanced automation, we not only strengthen our operational efficiency but also confirm our role as a logistics hub for vehicles in Europe. This way, we keep Zeebrugge and ICO continuously attractive for our international partners and contribute to the economic growth of the region.”
The project contributes to increased operational efficiency and reduces vehicle movements, which helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, it promotes a more sustainable and efficient use of available port space by making optimal use of existing sites. This is perfectly in line with ICO’s sustainability objectives and strengthens Zeebrugge’s position as a strategic hub for the European car market.
The completion of the garage is expected in the second half of 2027, after which the system will be operational and set a new standard in vehicle logistics.
Any further questions? Please contact Niek Provoost
[email protected]
+32 473 44 91 10
