Brussels Airport opens Brucargo Central, expands storage by 30%

Brussels Airport has inaugurated Brucargo Central, a €70 million logistics hub spanning 83,500 m². The redevelopment replaces eight old buildings with three new facilities totalling 34,000 m² of warehouses and offices. The project, launched in 2022, increases storage capacity at Brucargo Central by 30%, adds 10,000 m² of temperature-controlled space, reduces paved areas by 20%, and enhances mobility and sustainability across the site.

The airport handled 733,000 tonnes of goods in 2024, recording an average growth of 6% per year since 2019. Brucargo Central will support over 100 companies operating in the cargo area and strengthen Brussels Airport’s position as Europe’s leading pharmaceutical hub.

Arnaud Feist, CEO of Brussels Airport, said, “Accelerating the development of the cargo area at Brussels Airport is one of our strategic priorities. Our role is to be a trusted partner that offers the space, flexibility and long-term perspective that logistics operators need to thrive in a constantly evolving market. Brucargo Central illustrates this perfectly.”

The redevelopment includes three new buildings offering 34,200 m² of warehouse space and 45,000 m² of total cold storage capacity. The design follows sustainable construction principles, using wood to reduce CO₂ emissions and achieving BREEAM-Excellent certification. Solar panels, electric heat pumps, geothermal storage, and water management systems have been integrated to make the site fossil fuel-free and energy efficient.

“As with all Brussels Airport projects, sustainability is at the heart of Brucargo Central, from conception to completion. With these choices, Brucargo Central is a concrete illustration of our commitment to accelerating the sustainable transition of our cargo area and achieving our net zero carbon ambition by 2030,” added Feist.

The new site includes a multi-storey car park for 500 cars, 21 truck bays, electric vehicle charging points, and redesigned internal traffic routes. Dedicated pedestrian and cycling paths have also been added to improve safety and encourage sustainable commuting.

Brucargo Central will house five logistics operators. Nippon Express is expanding with a 10,000 m² air freight facility, with a strategic focus on the healthcare sector and European consolidation. DSV Air & Sea NV is setting up a 12,600 m² warehouse to strengthen its air freight operations in pharmaceuticals and healthcare. The BREEAM Plus-certified site highlights DSV’s commitment to sustainable logistics and decarbonisation.

Hazgo, a specialist in logistics for hazardous, temperature-sensitive, and pharmaceutical goods, will move into a 2,000 m² facility. The company, part of SGS, will enhance its regulated and sensitive cargo handling capabilities. EV Cargo, a global supply chain company, is expanding its footprint at Brussels Airport to support growth in e-commerce, retail, and manufacturing. Deny Cargo, active in the cargo zone since the 1980s, will occupy a 2,500 m² warehouse equipped with refrigerated storage, enabling it to upgrade operations in temperature-controlled logistics.