Rotra Air & Ocean NV (Antwerp)

Rotra Air & Ocean NV (Antwerp) is part of the long-established Rotra group, a family-owned logistics provider with roots dating back to 1909. The Antwerp office operates within a network that includes Rotterdam, Amsterdam, Brussels, and other key European locations, offering a broad spectrum of international transport and customs services. The organization emphasizes a combination of traditional industry expertise with modern digital capabilities to manage air and ocean freights, as well as related services, under one flexible platform.

Core capabilities center on end-to-end door-to-door logistics for air and sea shipments, complemented by AEO-certified customs brokerage and various value-added services designed for special shipments. Rotra highlights a dedicated special services desk to handle project cargo, time-critical consignments, and AOG (Aircraft on Ground) situations. These offerings reflect a practical approach to complex shipments that require coordinated planning, risk management, and rapid response.

A defining feature of Rotra is its emphasis on digitization and real-time visibility through the rotraNext platform. The system is portrayed as a single digital dashboard that integrates worldwide air and sea freight, customs processing, and documentation. rotraNext is designed to provide customers with real-time rate availability (24/7), shipment tracking updates, and streamlined document management. The platform also focuses on exception control, multi-organization and multi-user access, and easy collaboration with stakeholders, including third parties, while safeguarding sensitive information.

Rotra presents rotraNext as a gateway to Europe for global shipments, underscoring its climate-neutral commitment and the ability to manage complex supply chains with API-first technology. The service ethos combines digital efficiency with a personal touch, asserting that a team of experienced professionals remains involved when customers need direct assistance or strategic guidance. The company’s communications emphasize simplicity in logistics through one-click operations, rapid quotes, and transparent process control, while maintaining hands-on support from Rotra personnel.

Establishment and footprint

Rotra describes itself as a long-standing, family-owned forwarder with more than a century of logistics experience. The Antwerp office participates in a continental network that enables door-to-door service across air and ocean modes. The company emphasizes its AEO-certified customs brokerage, which signals compliance-driven operations and enhanced efficiency at border crossings.

Digital-forwarding and client empowerment

rotraNext is highlighted as a differentiator that digitalizes the supply chain by combining the depth of Rotra’s experience with contemporary technology. The platform aims to reduce administrative burdens, improve data accuracy, and accelerate decision-making for customers. Features highlighted include:

- Instant access to rates and real-time shipment notifications

- Exception control for handling unexpected events and cost mitigation

- Easy sharing of tracking information with third parties or colleagues without exposing sensitive data

- Centralized documentation management for all shipments

- Multi-entity and multi-user capabilities to reflect complex corporate structures

- API-first integration to connect with existing ERP systems and internal workflows

Service scope and industries

Rotra positions its services as comprehensive for global logistics, covering ocean freight, air freight, and customs handling. The emphasis on special shipments indicates capabilities in areas that require meticulous planning and coordination, such as project cargo and time-sensitive deliveries. While exact classification of modes like FCL/LCL or other sub-services is not explicitly enumerated in the provided materials, Rotra’s messaging reflects a broad capability set suitable for diverse industries and shipment profiles. The company’s narrative also underscores its commitment to climate-neutral logistics, aligning with contemporary sustainability goals in global supply chains.

Strategic positioning

Rotra’s Antwerp profile highlights a blend of traditional logistics expertise and modern digital tools. The company leverages its 115-year heritage to deliver reliable, scalable solutions while investing in a tech-enabled experience for customers. The combination of a dedicated support structure (Special Services desk, personal account handling) and a digitally integrated platform (rotraNext) suggests an approach that balances human oversight with automated processes. Rotra’s focus on direct customer engagement via online support, custom quoting, and real-time transparency is presented as a core value proposition for organizations seeking control and efficiency in international shipping.

Why choose Rotra Air & Ocean NV (Antwerp)

- Deep-rooted experience spanning over a century in logistics, with consistent operations across the Benelux region and Europe.

- Comprehensive air and ocean freight services supported by an AEO-certified customs department for streamlined border clearance.

- Specialized desks and procedures for project cargo, time-critical shipments, and AOG scenarios, addressing high-priority or complex consignments.

- A digitally-enabled platform (rotraNext) that consolidates quotes, tracking, documentation, and collaboration, designed to save time and improve process control.

- Commitment to climate-neutral logistics efforts within a transparent, API-friendly technology framework that integrates with client systems.

Geography and coverage

With offices in Antwerp and additional European hubs, Rotra positions itself as a gateway to Europe for global shipments, offering door-to-door service across air and sea modes and facilitating cross-border flows with a focus on efficiency and compliance. The combination of physical offices and digital tools supports a resilient, end-to-end logistics solution for businesses operating in Europe and beyond.

In summary, Rotra Air & Ocean NV (Antwerp) represents a long-standing, digitally enhanced freight forwarding option in Belgium and the wider European market. Its core strengths lie in air and sea freight, specialized handling for complex shipments, and a strong emphasis on data transparency and process control through rotraNext, reinforced by an experienced, client-facing team.