Rising demand for freight forwarders in Antwerp

Published date: October 1, 2026

Discover the role, career opportunities and salary

A freight forwarder, also known as a forwarding agent, plays an important role in the logistics chain. Thanks to Belgium’s strategic location and the presence of major ports such as Antwerp and Zeebrugge, as well as important logistics hubs such as Brussels and Liège, the profession offers many opportunities in Belgium.

Yeshy Witters, Associate Consultant at recruitment specialist Robert Walters, explains what the role of a freight forwarder entails, what career opportunities are available and what you can expect to earn. She also takes a closer look at the current demand for freight forwarders on the Belgian labour market.

What exactly does a freight forwarder do?

A freight forwarder is a logistics specialist who organises and monitors the transportation of goods from A to B, often in an international context. Most vacancies are found in Flanders, particularly in Antwerp and Zeebrugge for port-related transport, and in Zaventem for air freight.

As a freight forwarder, you coordinate transport for customers and ensure that goods reach their destination at the right place and at the right time. For transport via the port, this includes planning containers and cargo space on vessels. You maintain contact with shipping companies, monitor contractual agreements and pricing arrangements, and negotiate new rates where necessary.

Administration also accounts for a significant part of the job. Customs and transport documents must be prepared and submitted completely and accurately. If problems arise with documentation or if transport is delayed, you look for a solution and keep the customer informed.

Depending on the organisation, a freight forwarder’s responsibility may end at the border or extend all the way to the end customer. In the latter case, you also arrange the onward transport in the destination country, for example by truck or courier service. This means you can follow a shipment from departure all the way through to delivery.

Yeshy: “International transport may seem straightforward at first glance, but in practice it is a complex chain in which accuracy and specialised knowledge are essential. Freight forwarders therefore often specialise in a particular area, such as refrigerated transport, or in a specific region. Since every country has its own rules, procedures and documentation requirements, these specialists are indispensable for organisations that want to handle imports, exports and customs formalities correctly.”

Which education and skills are important to succeed as a freight forwarder?

Young people who want to pursue a career in freight forwarding often choose a degree such as a Bachelor’s in Logistics Management or Maritime Management, or a Master’s in Business Administration with a specialisation in Logistics & Supply Chain. However, a specific degree is not an absolute requirement. Professionals with a different educational background can also develop their skills through training or courses focused on imports and exports.

Yeshy: “Many people learn the ins and outs of the profession primarily on the job. By working as part of an experienced team, they gradually build up the knowledge and experience they need.”

According to data from Jobs Data, teamwork, coordination skills and accuracy are the most sought-after soft skills for freight forwarders. Self-motivation also plays an important role. Teamwork is essential because freight forwarders work with different parties and internal teams on a daily basis. Strong coordination skills help ensure that all aspects of the transport process are aligned efficiently and smoothly. Self-motivation, in turn, is important for proactively addressing problems and making decisions independently.

“Good language skills are also important, as you are in daily contact with customers, customs authorities and various other parties,” Yeshy adds. “In addition to Dutch, a good command of French is an advantage, but English is particularly essential given the international nature of the job.”

A freight forwarder generally works during regular office hours, but the job does require a certain degree of flexibility. If, for example, a problem arises with a delivery, you need to be able to act quickly and work with the customer and the parties involved to find a solution. This helps ensure that goods reach their final destination as quickly as possible, despite unexpected problems.

Is a career as a freight forwarder suitable for recent graduates?

“Absolutely. As a junior freight forwarder, you join an experienced team where you learn the profession step by step on the job. Initially, the focus is mainly on the administrative side of the role, such as correctly processing the necessary transport and customs documents. As you gain more experience, you gradually take on more customer contact and responsibility. Over time, you build your own customer portfolio and grow into an increasingly independent role,” says Yeshy.

What is the current demand for freight forwarders?

“Demand for freight forwarders in Belgium is increasing significantly,” says Yeshy. “In the second quarter of this year, as many as 60% more vacancies for freight forwarders were published than in the first quarter. This strong demand is continuing into the third quarter. The largest increases can be seen in the provinces of Antwerp, East Flanders and West Flanders.

This trend also creates interesting opportunities for (entry-level) professionals who want to gain experience as a freight forwarder through a temporary assignment. We are seeing a slight increase in the share of temporary positions for freight forwarders, either with or without the prospect of a permanent contract once the assignment ends.” (Source: Jobs Data).

What career progression opportunities are available to freight forwarders?

Yeshy: “If you start as a junior freight forwarder, you gradually take on more responsibilities and can progress to become a senior freight forwarder or team leader if you have the ambition to manage a team. If you prefer to specialise, there are other career paths available. For example, you could specialise in refrigerated transport and become an expert in that field. Your customer portfolio would then increasingly focus on that specific area of expertise.

The exact scope of the role also depends on the size of the organisation. At a large international company, tasks are often more specialised: some employees focus on administration, while others primarily handle customer contact. In a smaller organisation, the role is generally more all-round, and you coordinate the entire transport process from A to Z.

“As you gain experience, you become increasingly aware of your interests and strengths and the direction in which you want to develop further. This can be within your current organisation, but of course also with another employer,” Yeshy concludes.

Finally, how much does a freight forwarder earn?

According to our digital salary survey, a freight forwarder with 0 to 3 years of experience can expect a gross monthly salary of €2,700 to €3,200. With several years of experience, gross monthly pay can rise to around €3,700. Freight forwarders with more than 6 years of experience can expect a salary of up to €4,200 gross per month.

“On top of that, there are of course additional benefits, such as meal vouchers, group and/or hospitalisation insurance, a laptop, mobile phone and, in some organisations, eco vouchers. There is often also a bonus when predefined targets are achieved,” Yeshy adds. “For freight forwarders who manage a team, a company car and fuel card may also be part of the remuneration package.

In addition, many organisations offer opportunities to work from home and flexible working hours. The extent to which this is possible naturally depends on the market and the type of customers the freight forwarder is responsible for.”