Electrification and hybrid propulsion
What electrification and hybrid propulsion means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Event overview
Overview
The Open Shipping Days will be held from March 4 to 6, 2027, at Waagnatie in Antwerp, Belgium. This event is a key gathering for the inland navigation sector, providing valuable insights into maintenance, technology, ship repair, and new regulations.
It offers a unique opportunity for networking and establishing new contacts within the industry. Open Shipping Days takes place in Antwerp, Belgium.
TL;DR
- 1Dates and Venue: Late January 2027 at Waagnatie Expo & Events, Antwerp, Belgium - the former Scheldt quay warehouse on the right bank of the river. Confirm the exact show days on osd-antwerpen.be before booking travel.
- 2Sector Focus: Open Shipping Days (Open Scheepvaartdagen) is a Belgian shipping marketplace built around ship maintenance and repair, maritime technology, shipbuilding materials and equipment, and interior outfitting for vessels.
- 3Who Meets Whom: Fleet owners, technical superintendents, shipyards and inland-shipping operators come to Waagnatie to meet repair yards, equipment makers and maritime service suppliers in one hall rather than touring suppliers individually.
- 4Entry and Access: Entry is free but registration is required; register online ahead of travel so your badge is ready at the hall entrance.
- 5Organiser: Hangar 29 Events BV runs the show; the official site is osd-antwerpen.be.
Why visit
Visitors can gain insights into the latest technologies and regulations in the inland navigation sector. Dates and Venue: Open Shipping Days takes place from March 4 to 6, 2027, at Waagnatie, Antwerp, Belgium. Buyer Authority: Attendees include professionals from the inland navigation sector, looking for maintenance, technology, and regulatory updates.
Why exhibit
Exhibitors can showcase their products and services to a targeted audience in the inland navigation sector. Scale and Focus: This event showcases the inland navigation sector with numerous exhibitors presenting their products and services. Buyer Authority: Attendees include professionals from the inland navigation sector, looking for maintenance, technology, and regulatory updates.
Attendees, exhibitors & solutions
Who this event is for
Visitor profile
Typical attendee groups you can expect to meet.
Professionals from the inland navigation sector
Ship maintenance and repair specialists
Technology providers for maritime applications
Regulatory compliance experts
Training and employment service providers
Interior design companies for ships
Exhibitor profile
Main supplier and exhibitor segments present at the show.
Companies specializing in ship maintenance and repair
Manufacturers of maritime technology
Suppliers of shipbuilding materials
Service providers for inland navigation
Consultants for regulatory compliance
Training organizations for maritime skills
Product categories
Key solution areas showcased across the event.
Ship maintenance and repair services
Maritime technology solutions
Shipbuilding materials and equipment
Interior design products for vessels
Regulatory compliance services
Employment services in the maritime sector
Location & Facilities
Venue
Waagnatie
Rijnkaai 150, 2000 Antwerp
Facilities
Parking
Waagnatie in Antwerp typically provides on-site or adjacent visitor parking during major trade fairs; confirm daily rates, payment methods and hall access on the organiser or venue website before travel.
Food options
On-site catering
On-site diningParking: Waagnatie in Antwerp typically provides on-site or adjacent visitor parking during major trade fairs; confirm daily rates, payment methods and hall access on the organiser or venue website before travel.
Gate: Follow organiser signage to the main visitor entrance at Waagnatie for badge collection; allow extra time for security screening during peak morning arrival.
Attend
Entry & tickets
Free registration
Who runs the show
Organisers
Hangar 29 Events BV
Intelligence
Market context
Key market insights, trends, news and related events to help you understand the bigger picture.
Antwerp, Belgium
Why it matters
Attending Open Shipping Days on 2027-03-04 to 2027-03-06 in Antwerp lets buyers and specifiers benchmark suppliers, see live demonstrations, and compress months of vendor meetings into one focused trade visit — worthwhile when your category roadmap aligns with the official exhibitor profile.
Industry trends
Key trends shaping this market and its wider industry.
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Experience-led watersports demand
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Supply-chain regionalisation
What supply-chain regionalisation means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Plan your trip
Travel & logistics
Local currency · USD
Hotel tiers
A range of accommodation options near the venue and across key areas.
U Eat & Sleep Antwerp
4-star
Near Waagnatie, Antwerpapprox. 410 m to venueFree breakfast, free Wi-Fi, parking, air conditioning, bar, restaurant, room service. Google Hotels capture showed this among the closest 4-star options.
Hotel Docklands Antwerp
3-star
Near Waagnatie, Antwerpapprox. 730 m to venueBreakfast (paid), free Wi-Fi, paid parking, bar, restaurant, laundry, business centre. Listed as a 3-star option in the Google Hotels capture.
Holiday Inn Express Antwerp City - North by IHG
3-star
Antwerp north, near Waagnatieapprox. 820 m to venueEco-certified, free breakfast, free Wi-Fi, paid parking, air conditioning, bar, guest rating 4.1 from about 1,800 reviews in the capture.
Local transport
Get around the city with these convenient transport options.
Tram / bus (De Lijn)
Estimated costUSD 2.50-6 single metro/light-rail journey (contactless)
Best forDe Lijn services across Antwerp connect to the Waagnatie site on the right bank near the city centre
De Lijn operates Antwerp city tram and bus routes; route-level details for Waagnatie are listed on Moovit and the venue how-to-reach page.
Taxi
Estimated costUSD 35–75 taxi or rideshare to the venue district
Best forCity taxi from Antwerp hotels or Antwerp Central station to Waagnatie
Short city hops; the venue sits close to the Scheldt quays. No official metered figure was captured, so this is an approximate band.
Car / parking
Estimated costUSD 18-35 daily venue parking
Best forOn-site and nearby parking at Waagnatie Expo & Events
Mobypark, Seety and Antwerp city parking pages list the venue parking; Antwerp also enforces a low-emission zone for cars entering the city.
taxi
Estimated costApprox. USD taxi/rideshare from ANR to venue (estimate; confirm before travel)
Best forAntwerp International Airport (Deurne) (ANR) to Waagnatie
taxi
Estimated costApprox. USD taxi/rideshare from BRU to venue (estimate; confirm before travel)
Best forBrussels Airport (BRU) to Waagnatie
taxi
Estimated costApprox. USD taxi/rideshare from AMS to venue (estimate; confirm before travel)
Best forAmsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) to Waagnatie
Plan your trip
Visa & entry documents
Check the latest visa requirements and entry guidelines before travelling.
Visa not required
ATA Carnet: check with organiser
Weather
Antwerp in early March sits at the end of winter: expect cool, changeable days with a real chance of rain and wind off the Scheldt near the Waagnatie quays. Official monthly averages were not captured, so check a forecast closer to show dates; plan an indoor-friendly schedule and a waterproof layer for the short walk from nearby hotels.
Plan for the climate
Check temperatures and pack accordingly
Venue connectivity
Belgium uses EU-standard mobile networks, so EU roaming plans work without extra cost and most visitors from outside the EU can pick up a prepaid Belgian SIM or eSIM on arrival. Antwerp hotels, cafes and the Waagnatie venue area typically offer Wi-Fi; check with the organiser whether the halls have dedicated exhibitor or press Wi-Fi.
Ride-hailing
Taxis
Public transit
Car rentals
Cultural notes
Useful information to help you have a smooth and respectful visit.
Language
Antwerp is in Dutch-speaking Flanders; official show pages publish in Dutch and English, and English is widely spoken in the maritime and logistics sector, so business meetings in English are normal.
Currency and payments
Belgium uses the euro (EUR). Card and contactless payment are standard in Antwerp hotels, restaurants and taxis, though carrying a little cash is still useful for small vendors and transit machines.
Business etiquette
Flemish maritime and inland shipping companies keep a direct, punctual meeting culture; confirm appointments in advance and bring bilingual business cards (Dutch or English) if you will be meeting yard, repair or barge operator teams at Waagnatie.
Venue arrival
Waagnatie sits by the Scheldt docks; arrive early on day one to clear badge collection before the halls fill up, and plan the short taxi or tram leg from Antwerp Central if you stay in the city centre rather than the dockland hotels.
Practical guides
Visitor & Exhibitor Essentials
Everything needed to arrive prepared, navigate the event, and make the visit productive.
Flights
Compare flights to the nearest international gateway serving Antwerp; confirm ground transport on the organiser site.
Visa
Schengen rules apply: business visitors from visa-exempt countries can attend Open Scheepvaartdagen in Antwerp without a visa for short trips; other nationalities need a Schengen short-stay visa issued by Belgium before travelling, applied for at the Belgian embassy, consulate or authorised visa centre for their place of residence.
Processing: Varies by nationality; apply several weeks before travel.
Show the organiser's invitation, hotel booking near Waagnatie and a return ticket at the visa appointment. The official Belgian foreign affairs visa page and the Belgian Immigration Office (dofi.ibz.be) are the authoritative sources; no specific visa fee or processing time was stated in the captured pages.
OfficialTransport
Get to the venue and around the city with these options.
Airport → venue: Use the nearest international airport serving Antwerp; Metro, train or taxi links are typically available to the venue district.
Hotel → venue: Precinct hotels near Waagnatie: Near Waagnatie, Antwerp: U Eat & Sleep Antwerp; Near Waagnatie, Antwerp: Hotel Docklands Antwerp; Antwerp north, near Waagnatie: Holiday Inn Express Antwerp City - North by IHG.
Ride-hail: Ride-hailing apps are commonly used in Antwerp; confirm local availability before travel.
Public transit: Use local bus, tram, or metro routes serving Waagnatie; check operator timetables.
Parking: On-site parking is available at Waagnatie; confirm daily rates and hall access on the organiser or venue site.
Weather
Plan and pack for the event climate.
Month: March 2027
Temperature: Late January in Antwerp is deep winter: daytime highs typically around 4-8 C and night lows around 0-3 C, with frost possible. Figures are climatological bands, not a forecast - check a local forecast for the show week before packing.
Seasonality: Late January falls in Antwerp's wet, windy season, with rain likely on a good share of days and strong gusts funnelling off the Scheldt around the Waagnatie quays. Carry a waterproof shell and warm layers for the short walk between nearby hotels and the hall, and allow extra time for delayed rail or road transfers; confirm the actual forecast for the show dates closer to travel.
Packing: Late-winter Antwerp on the Scheldt quays is often cold and blustery, with rain possible on any show day. Pack a warm mid-layer, a waterproof outer shell, comfortable walking shoes for the Waagnatie halls and a compact umbrella; add gloves and a scarf for early starts or evening walks along the docks.
Plan your trip
Planning
Best day to visit: Day 2 (mid-show)
Mid-show days at Open Shipping Days usually combine full exhibitor attendance with scheduled B2B meetings, before early pack-down on the final day.
T-1
14-12 days out - register for Open Shipping Days through osd-antwerpen.be and save the confirmation; free entry still requires a badge.
T-2
12 days out - book your flight into Brussels Airport (BRU) or Antwerp International (ANR) and a room at U Eat & Sleep, Hotel Docklands or Holiday Inn Express City-North while late-January availability is good.
T-3
10 days out - build your target exhibitor list from the organiser's exhibitor page, sorted by ship repair, maritime technology, deck and engine equipment, and interior outfitting.
T-4
9 days out - request meetings with repair yards and equipment suppliers by email, quoting your vessel types (inland barge, coaster, offshore unit) and the systems you need quoted.
T-5
7 days out - check visa status if you are travelling from outside the Schengen area, and collect the organiser invitation letter, hotel proof and return ticket for the appointment.
T-6
6 days out - confirm Waagnatie opening hours and the hall layout on the schedule page; note any seminar slots you want to attend.
T-7
5 days out - plan your airport-to-venue route: BRU airport train to Antwerp Central plus tram, bus or taxi to the right bank, or a direct taxi from ANR.
T-8
4 days out - check the Antwerp low-emission zone rules if you plan to drive, and pre-book parking near Waagnatie.
T-9
3 days out - pack for late-January Antwerp: a waterproof shell, warm layers and shoes for the short quay-side walk between hotels and the hall.
T-10
2 days out - download your badge, save the organiser contact and venue address offline, and set a realistic meetings target of 8-12 stands per day.
T-11
1 day out - confirm flight and rail times, check live weather and any Scheldt wind warnings, and charge devices for scanning and note-taking.
T-12
Show day - arrive at Waagnatie early for badge collection, walk the hall once to map suppliers, then work your pre-booked meetings and log quotes before leaving each stand.
T-13
Show day - keep a written record of lead times, spare-part availability and docking slots quoted, since lead times are the usual deal-breaker for repair and equipment purchases.
T-14
After the show - send follow-up emails within 72 hours referencing the stand conversation, request written quotations, and log the contacts for your next docking cycle.
Sample visitor itinerary
Route-optimised day
Day 1 · morning
Registration and hall orientation at Waagnatie
Day 2 · core sessions
Supplier meetings and product demos
Day 3 · wrap-up
Final negotiations and follow-up
Networking spots
2Open Shipping Days registration concourse
Waagnatie
Central meeting point before and between hall appointments during show days.
Organiser B2B lounge (if offered)
Waagnatie
Hosted matchmaking and buyer programmes when published by the organiser.
Budget
Costs & budget
Build your working budget
Adjust the inputs below to create a directional event budget.
Estimated budget
Live estimate
- Hotel × 2 nights$190.00
- Per diem × 2$150.00
Estimated total$340.00
This is a directional estimate. Please verify live rates before booking.
Decision
Visit, exhibit, or skip?
Should you go?
Use this quick check to decide whether Open Shipping Days fits your visit, exhibit or skip plan.
QUESTION 1 OF 6
What is your primary role?
Decision matrix
Compare participation options side by side to choose the best fit for your objectives.
visit
Your category focus aligns with the official product themes.
Best for
Buyers, researchers, and delegates evaluating the programme and networking value.
Min. budget
$400.00
Timeline
4-8 weeks before opening day for registration and travel.
Risks
Limited session times published - confirm agenda before booking.
exhibit
You have a clear lead-generation or launch goal for this market.
Best for
Suppliers and brands seeking qualified meetings with the event audience.
Min. budget
$2,500.00
Timeline
3-6 months for stand booking, freight, and marketing prep.
Risks
Booth pricing not published in captured sources - confirm with organiser.
skip
Programme, audience, or commercial goals do not match your plan.
Best for
Teams whose category or region fit is weak this edition.
Timeline
N/A
Risks
No major risks listed.
Gallery
Photos
FAQs & glossary
Answers
Frequently asked
When and where is Open Shipping Days (Open Scheepvaartdagen) 2027?
The edition runs in late January 2027 at Waagnatie Expo & Events in Antwerp, Belgium, on the right bank of the Scheldt. The organiser's site osd-antwerpen.be lists the final show days and opening hours - check it before locking flights and hotels.
Is entry to Open Shipping Days free?
Yes. Entry is free, but registration is required. Register through the organiser's website in advance so your badge is issued, and bring photo ID matching the registration name.
Is Open Shipping Days open to trade visitors only?
The exhibitor mix of repair yards, maritime technology suppliers and shipbuilding material vendors is aimed at trade buyers - fleet owners, technical superintendents, shipyard purchasing staff and inland-shipping operators. If you are unsure whether your role qualifies, contact the organiser before travelling.
What product categories can I expect at Waagnatie?
The show's scope covers ship maintenance and repair services, maritime technology, shipbuilding materials and equipment, and interior products for vessels. That means repair yards and docking services, engine and electrical systems, pumps, valves, deck equipment, coatings and cabin or galley outfitting suppliers in the same hall.
Who exhibits at Open Shipping Days?
Suppliers serving shipowners and yards: repair and maintenance firms, maritime technology and equipment makers, shipbuilding material vendors, and interior outfitting specialists. The organiser's exhibitor list on osd-antwerpen.be is the reliable place to check which companies are confirmed for 2027.
How do I get to Waagnatie from Brussels Airport?
Brussels Airport (BRU) is the main international gateway; take the airport train to Antwerp Central, then a tram, bus or short taxi ride to Waagnatie on the right bank, or drive in around 45-60 minutes depending on traffic. Antwerp International Airport (ANR) in Deurne is much closer for city hops. Confirm live timetables before travel.
Do I need a visa to attend from outside the Schengen area?
Belgium is a Schengen country. Visa-exempt nationalities can travel for short business trips; others need a Schengen short-stay visa applied for through the Belgian embassy, consulate or an authorised visa centre in their country. Apply well ahead and take an invitation letter from the organiser, proof of accommodation and a return ticket.
Where should I stay near the venue?
The closest options sit within about 400-850 m of Waagnatie: U Eat & Sleep Antwerp, Hotel Docklands Antwerp and Holiday Inn Express Antwerp City - North. Antwerp's historic centre is a short tram or taxi ride across the river if you prefer a central base.
Is there parking at Waagnatie, and does the Antwerp low-emission zone apply?
The venue has parking and nearby paid car parks, but Antwerp enforces a low-emission zone - check your vehicle's emission category and register if required before driving into the city. Rates and availability should be confirmed with the venue or a parking app at the time of travel.
Does the show run alongside other events or offer a conference programme?
The organiser publishes the programme and any co-located activity on osd-antwerpen.be/schedule. Check that page for the 2027 edition's seminar slots, opening reception and hall layout before planning your days on site.
Glossary
- Open Scheepvaartdagen
- The Dutch-language name of Open Shipping Days, the Antwerp shipping and ship-supply exhibition held at Waagnatie.
- Waagnatie
- The Antwerp exhibition venue on the right bank of the Scheldt, a converted quay-side warehouse used for Open Shipping Days; its halls sit within walking distance of the riverfront and Antwerp's north docks.
- Ship repair and maintenance
- Scheduled and unscheduled work that keeps a vessel in class and in service - dry docking, steel renewal, coatings, engine overhauls, electrical and hydraulic systems, and voyage repairs.
- Dry docking
- Taking a vessel out of the water into a graving or floating dock so the hull, rudder, propeller and sea chests can be inspected and repaired; a core buying category at ship-repair fairs.
- Maritime technology
- Onboard and shoreside systems such as navigation and bridge electronics, engine monitoring, automation, ballast water and exhaust treatment, and communication equipment.
- Shipbuilding materials and equipment
- Steel plate and profiles, pipes and fittings, valves, pumps, deck machinery, winches, anchors and chain, welding consumables and coatings used by yards and repairers.
- Vessel interior outfitting
- Cabins, galleys, HVAC, flooring, ceilings, furniture and safety-rated partitions supplied to newbuilds and refits of cargo, offshore and inland vessels.
- Inland shipping / barge transport
- Freight carriage on the Scheldt, Meuse, Rhine and canal network; Antwerp is a major barge hub, which brings inland-shipping operators to this show.
- Port of Antwerp-Bruges
- The merged Flemish port authority covering Antwerp's docks and the Bruges-Zeebrugge harbour, the logistics backdrop for the show's ship-repair and equipment audience.
- Technical superintendent
- The fleet-side manager who budgets and schedules docking, repairs and equipment purchases for one or more vessels - a core visitor role at Open Shipping Days.
- Class survey / classification society
- An inspection by a classification society that confirms a vessel meets its rules, often triggering repair work that is scoped in supplier conversations at the fair.
- Free registration
- Entry to Open Shipping Days is free of charge, but visitors must register to receive a badge - unregistered walk-ins should register online before travelling.
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Also known as
Alternate names and search phrases for this event.
- Open Shipping Days 2027
- Open Scheepvaartdagen Antwerp
- Open Shipping Days Waagnatie
- maritime technology expo Antwerp
- shipbuilding equipment fair
- vessel interior outfitting expo
- ship maintenance suppliers Antwerp
- Open Shipping Days registration
- inland shipping event Antwerp
- maritime suppliers January 2027
Digital business cards for the show floor
Display a free company card at your booth, or share your professional card on the show floor.