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Ports of Antwerp and Zeebrugge to join forces over the next year
来源：Shipping News Headlines 编辑：编辑部 发布：2021/02/18 09:49:59
THE Belgian cities of Antwerp and Bruges have reached an agreement to merge their respective ports, reports the American Journal of Transportation.
The agreement marks the beginning of a unification process that is expected to take a year. Once completed, the ports will operate under the Port of Antwerp-Bruges.
The merger will allow the ports to strengthen their position in the global supply chain and continue their course towards sustainable growth.
The port will account for more than 15 per cent of Europe¡¯s liquid natural gas transits and remain Europe¡¯s major chemical hub. The port will also be the largest port for cruise ships in the Benelux. With a total throughput of 278 million tonnes per year, the unified port will be able to consolidate its leading position.
The unification is dedicated to creating added value for the surrounding areas of Antwerp and Zeebrugge for customers and stakeholders.
The two ports have three main strategic priorities: sustainable growth, resilience, and leadership in the energy and digital transition.
"We are proud of this historic agreement, which seals a long-awaited unification. By joining forces, we are on the way to becoming Europe¡¯s global port, while at the same time reinforcing our position as the most important container port, a solid ro-ro port and one of the largest break bulk ports in Europe," said port alderman Annick De Ridder.
This will make us even more attractive to our existing customers, to new investors and to all other potential stakeholders, and we will undisputedly be the main driver of Flanders¡¯ economy. Our ambition to bring the two ports together is about much more than simply tonnage and TEUs, however," said Mr De Ridder.
The mayor of Bruges, Dirk De Dauw, declared how everyone involved is looking forward to joining forces together, as it will strengthen their position as one of the most vital gateways to Europe.
The agreement marks the beginning of a unification process that is expected to take a year. Once completed, the ports will operate under the Port of Antwerp-Bruges.
The merger will allow the ports to strengthen their position in the global supply chain and continue their course towards sustainable growth.
The port will account for more than 15 per cent of Europe¡¯s liquid natural gas transits and remain Europe¡¯s major chemical hub. The port will also be the largest port for cruise ships in the Benelux. With a total throughput of 278 million tonnes per year, the unified port will be able to consolidate its leading position.
The unification is dedicated to creating added value for the surrounding areas of Antwerp and Zeebrugge for customers and stakeholders.
The two ports have three main strategic priorities: sustainable growth, resilience, and leadership in the energy and digital transition.
"We are proud of this historic agreement, which seals a long-awaited unification. By joining forces, we are on the way to becoming Europe¡¯s global port, while at the same time reinforcing our position as the most important container port, a solid ro-ro port and one of the largest break bulk ports in Europe," said port alderman Annick De Ridder.
This will make us even more attractive to our existing customers, to new investors and to all other potential stakeholders, and we will undisputedly be the main driver of Flanders¡¯ economy. Our ambition to bring the two ports together is about much more than simply tonnage and TEUs, however," said Mr De Ridder.
The mayor of Bruges, Dirk De Dauw, declared how everyone involved is looking forward to joining forces together, as it will strengthen their position as one of the most vital gateways to Europe.