The maritime history of Vlissingen (Flushing) goes back a long way. The Vlissingen port was the scene of trading in wood, salt, herrings, tar and wool as early as the 13th century. At that time Vlissingen was renowned for its privateering and piracy. To read about the history of the port of Terneuzen, click on ‘Terneuzen’ at the top right of this page.

One of Vlissingen’s oldest harbours is the outport. It was dug in the Middle Ages and is still used today by pilot-boats. The so-called Nije (New), English or Fishermen’s Harbour dates back to 1455. In the sixteenth century, privateers, traders and craftsmen transformed Vlissingen into a flourishing city. Slave traders played a big part in that development. Ships from Vlissingen sailed all over the world, contributing to the power of the Seven United Provinces.

After the Golden Age, a low point followed. During the occupation by Napoleon, Vlissingen was a poor, destitute city. A change for the better occurred in the nineteenth century, when the government decided to dig the Walcheren Canal and to construct two inner harbours and the Outer Harbour as well as the Vlissingen-Bergen op Zoom railway line.

Port Industry
One of the companies that played – and continues to play – an important role in the history of Vlissingen is the ‘De Schelde’ shipyard. De Schelde opened its doors in 1875. Because of increasing industry, the Outer Harbour was too small by the end of the First World War. In 1931 an enlarged and improved Outer Harbour was opened. In 1934 the Port of Flushing, a stevedoring company, was established. It is an important part of the Vlissingen port today (it was taken over in 2002 by Verbrugge Terminals).

After the Second World War, Vlissingen was once again a desolate city. The reconstruction, however, took place at top speed. In 1964 the first harbour of EastVlissingen, the Sloe Harbour, was opened. After that, countless other harbours were constructed. Since 1964 a number of large companies have settled there, such as Hoechst Holland NV, Pechiney Nederland NV, Total Raffinaderij Nederland NV, Elf Atochem Vlissingen BV and Eurogas Terminals CV.