PortWatch, the central reporting platform for suspicious behaviour in Belgian ports, received 90 reports in its first year.
A new campaign has now been launched to increase awareness, with the slogan: "Seen something suspicious? Speak up!"
The PortWatch platform has been operational for just one year. Federal Justice Minister Annelies Verlinden attended a press event at the DP World container terminal in Doel, Antwerp Harbour, on Monday morning. She distributed the platform's brochures to dockworkers.
PortWatch provides valuable information to the police, but Minister Verlinden wants the platform to become more well-known and accessible. The website portwatch.be is now available in three languages: English, French, and Dutch. German and Spanish will be added soon.
The aim is to encourage more people to report suspicious activities – not just dockworkers, but also inland waterway operators, fishermen, and office workers in the port.
Justice Minister Annelies Verlinden (CD&V) hands out leaflets of PortWatch, the central reporting platform for suspicious situations in and around Belgian ports, in Doel, on Monday 24 March 2025. Credit: Belga
Examples of suspicious activities include vehicles or ships stopping in unusual places and people surveying containers or ships. Reports can be made anonymously. Of the 90 reports received, 77 were anonymous.
Minister Verlinden emphasises the importance of anonymity: "There are sometimes reprisals within organised crime groups. They settle scores. If we couldn’t guarantee anonymity, reporters wouldn’t be safe. But they absolutely are—the anonymity is very strict."
"Every report can make a difference in combating crime," the minister assures. Reports are acted upon: "Reporters can be certain that every report is followed up. The police will take action."
