Rotra Air & Ocean NV (Brussels)
Rotra Air & Ocean NV (Brussels) is part of the long-established Rotra group, a family-owned logistics provider with roots dating back to 1909. The Brussels operation sits alongside air and ocean offices in Rotterdam, Amsterdam, Antwerp, and Brussels, forming a European hub focused on delivering comprehensive freight forwarding services under one flexible organization. The company highlights a broad service spectrum that integrates air freight, ocean freight, and value-added capabilities such as AEO-certified customs brokerage and specialized desks for demanding shipment profiles.
Rotra emphasizes its blended model of traditional reliability and modern digital tools. The group notes that all worldwide services—air, ocean, rail, barge, and customs brokerage—are coordinated within a single organization to support seamless door-to-door logistics. A key differentiator is the dedicated special services desk, which handles project cargo, time-critical shipments, and AOG (Aircraft on Ground) scenarios. This combination aims to deliver flexible, fast, and tailored solutions that address the specific needs of high-priority and complex consignments.
A central element of Rotra’s strategy is digital transformation through its rotraNext platform. The system is presented as an end-to-end digital forwarding solution designed to streamline supply chains and improve transparency. Through rotraNext, customers can access rate quotes 24/7, track shipments in real-time, and receive automated notifications. The platform is described as API-first, enabling integration with customers’ existing ERP systems, and as multi-organization and multi-user to support complex corporate structures. The company frames rotraNext as a tool for reducing administrative overhead and time-to-decision, offering features such as Quick Quote, exception control, document management, and straightforward collaboration with third parties while keeping sensitive information secure.
Rotra’s European footprint is positioned as a gateway to Europe for worldwide air and sea freight, with a focus on end-to-end services that include customs handling and post-shipment visibility. The organization underscores its long-standing experience—over 115 years in the logistics field—paired with modern technology and a pragmatic, personable approach. The leadership style is described as Dutch-nuanced and customer-centric, combining digital efficiency with direct human support when required. In addition to standard transport services, Rotra emphasizes climate-neutral initiatives and a commitment to sustainable logistics practices, including efforts to ship climate-neutrally and to optimize pallet usage in warehouses.
In terms of industry reach, Rotra presents its platforms and services as suitable for a wide range of sectors, offering industry-specific configurations and knowledge built from extensive experience. The rotraNext platform is highlighted as a flexible dashboard for managing global shipments, facilitating
exception control, and supporting shared access for multiple entities within a single account. By consolidating air and ocean freight, customs processing, and special shipments into one digital ecosystem, Rotra aims to provide customers with clearer oversight, reduced lead times, and better predictability for complex supply chains. The firm also underscores the human element of its service model—despite the digital emphasis, customers retain access to Rotra personnel and technical support for questions, issues, or improvement ideas.
Rotra’s communications promote a user-friendly digital experience with practical benefits: real-time tracking, a straightforward quote workflow, centralized document management, multi-organization access, and the ability to share essential information with partners while controlling access to sensitive data. The company’s marketing materials repeatedly reference the combination of long-standing expertise with modern tools, presenting Rotra as a credible, efficient, and transparent partner for global logistics needs. The Brussels office, in particular, represents the local presence that complements Rotra’s Northern European network, reinforcing the company’s capability to manage cross-border movements across Europe with a customer-first orientation and a robust digital backbone.
Overall, Rotra Air & Ocean NV (Brussels) is positioned as a traditional, family-owned forwarder that has embraced digital technology to offer reliable air and sea freight, customs clearance, and specialized services for projects, time-critical shipments, and AOG scenarios. The company’s emphasis on rotraNext as a central platform—coupled with its 115-year history and AEO-certified operations—suggests a business model focused on transparency, efficiency, and personalized support within a scalable, tech-enabled framework. For clients seeking integrated freight solutions across Europe and beyond, Rotra’s Brussels presence provides a blend of regional expertise and global reach, supported by a digital interface designed to simplify complex logistics tasks and deliver measurable value through digital transparency and operational reliability.
