Editing Brussels (section)

===Water===
[[File:Bassin de Biestebroeck (DSC 4024).jpg|thumb|right|View along the [[Brussels–Charleroi Canal]] in [[Anderlecht]]]]

Since the 16th century, Brussels has had its own harbour, the [[Port of Brussels]]. It has been enlarged throughout the centuries to become the second Belgian inland port. Historically situated near the {{lang|fr|Place Sainte-Catherine|italic=no}}/{{lang|nl|Sint-Katelijneplein|italic=no}}, it lies today to the north-west of the region, on the [[Brussels–Scheldt Maritime Canal]] (commonly called Willebroek Canal), which connects Brussels to [[Antwerp]] via the [[Scheldt]]. Ships and large barges up to {{cvt|4,500|t|lb}} can penetrate deep into the country, avoiding break-ups and load transfers between Antwerp and the centre of Brussels, hence reducing the cost for companies using the canal, and thus offering a competitive advantage.

Moreover, the connection of the Willebroek Canal with the [[Brussels–Charleroi Canal]], in the very heart of the capital, creates a north–south link, by means of waterways, between the Netherlands, Flanders and the industrial zone of [[Hainaut (province)|Hainaut]] ([[Wallonia]]). There, navigation can access the network of French canals, thanks to the important [[Canal inclined plane|inclined plane]] of [[Ronquières inclined plane|Ronquières]] and the lifts of [[Strépy-Bracquegnies]].

The importance of river traffic in Brussels makes it possible to avoid the road equivalent of 740,000 trucks per year—almost 2,000 per day—which, in addition to easing traffic problems, represents an estimated carbon dioxide saving of {{cvt|51,545|t|lb}} per year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.port.brussels/en|title=Port of Brussels|website=Port of Brussels|access-date=4 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170804221507/http://www.port.brussels/en|archive-date=4 August 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>