Belgium's Coastline: North Sea Only, No Ocean Borders

A Short but Strategic Shore

Belgium does have a coastline—but only on the North Sea. It borders no oceans directly (the North Sea is a marginal sea of the Atlantic Ocean).

The Coast

• Length: ~67 km (42 mi) – one of Europe's shortest.
• Location: West Flanders province, Flemish Region.
• Cities: De Panne, Koksijde, Nieuwpoort, Oostende (largest), Bredene, De Haan, Blankenberge, Zeebrugge (major port), Knokke-Heist.
• Features: Wide sandy beaches, dunes, sea walls, tram line (Kusttram – world's longest tram line, 68 km).

Maritime Borders

• North: North Sea → connects to Atlantic via English Channel (Dover Strait) and Norwegian Sea.
• No Mediterranean, Baltic, Arctic, or direct Atlantic access.

Strategic Importance

• Port of Zeebrugge: RoRo capital of Europe, LNG terminal, naval base.
• Port of Antwerp-Bruges: Antwerp (on Scheldt estuary, 80 km inland) is Europe's 2nd largest port; Zeebrugge is its coastal gateway.
• Wind Farms: Large offshore wind zones (Northwester 2, Mermaid, etc.).
• Fisheries: North Sea cod, sole, plaice, shrimp.

Correction

The premise "does not have a coastline" is incorrect. Belgium has a 67 km North Sea coast. It is a coastal state under UNCLOS, with EEZ and continental shelf rights.