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Currents in a key year
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The year 2001 is, bar one, the best year in the annals of the port of Antwerp. The movement of maritime goods approached the record set in 2000. 130,050,413 tonnes of goods were transhipped. In comparison to the previous year this represents a decrease of 0.4%. The container traffic continues to increase. In 2001 container transhipment rose by 4%, up to 4.2 million TEU. Over the last three years container transport has registered an increase of 30%. Conventional general cargo declined in all major product groups. The roro-traffic was able to improve on its record set in 2000 by 0.4% reaching almost 6 million tonnes. The total transhipment of bulk goods maintained the level of the year 2000. |
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According to the most recent survey carried out by the National Bank (Financial year 2000) the port of Antwerp generated a direct added value of 6,597.0 million EUR. Investments amounted to 1,190.3 million EUR. The port created 54,751 jobs.
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The port of Antwerp is permanently working on further optimising its modal split. In this context the new record set in 2001 by the inland navigation is an important indicator. With a historic peak of 72.3 million tonnes the port of Antwerp confirms its position as second largest inland navigation port of Europe. The increase of the rail's share in the total transport of goods to and from the hinterland is a major element to improve the modal split. In addition to an increase of the reliability of the customer-related services, the port of Antwerp is also counting on the rapid development of a second rail tunnel as also the opening up of a second rail access. The Flemish Government has already announced speeding up the completion of the two projects, planned for the period 2010-2012, by two to three years via a system of co- and pre-financing.
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A crucial point for the port of Antwerp is the continued assurance of its maritime accessibility through a further deepening of the Scheldt. On 4th March, 2002, a second Memorandum of Understanding was signed in which both Flanders and The Netherlands assume a strict timetable within which the vital research as also the political decision process need to be finalised.
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Talks regarding the Iron Rhine dossier remain laborious. Since two independent environmental impact assessments (MER), made in August 2001, concluded that both from an economic and environmental angle, the historic route was the best and most sensible solution, the Dutch have unexpectedly set heavy demands regarding the reactivation of the route. This file remains a bone of contention in the relations with The Netherlands.
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The further development of the environmental infrastructure and the protection of the existing nature reserves remain a priority in the permanent venture. In March 2002 the 'vzw Natuurreservaten' (Nature Reserves) completed the inventorying of the ecological infrastructure on both the left and right banks.
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During the last year, the Port Authority made substantial investments in both people and means. The retention of a healthy social climate remains at the forefront. Management and trades-union signed a new collective labour agreement for the period 2002-2003. Additionally the further development of the base infrastructure is a prerequisite to ensure the port's lasting force of attraction. The planned investments regarding new infrastructure and renovations were realised. During the course of 2001, the Port Authority, out of social consideration, also decided to put various buildings at the disposal of socially or culturally inspired initiatives free of charge.
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Finally, we wish to thank all our clients who have repeatedly shown their full trust in the port of Antwerp. We also want to thank the entire workforce for their daily on-going efforts in further optimising the services rendered. We are all facing the challenges which lie ahead with full confidence and have every intention of living up to the ambitions which this company fosters.
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Eddy Bruyninckx
Chief Executive
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Baron Leo Delwaide
Officer President
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