News

In 2019 Port of Antwerp signed MoUs (Memoranda of Understanding) with ports all over the world. Various project teams from the different ports are working towards wider partnership aimed at facing the challenges of the future together and achieving higher levels of performance.

As of the end of 2020 the Port Authority Officers will also patrol on the water. Thanks to two new hybrid port maintenance vessels they will be able to intervene more quickly and raise the level of safety and security.

Antwerps bedrijf Boortmalt is de grootste moutgroep ter wereld, na overname van Cargill Malt. De fusiegroep zal jaarlijks drie miljoen mout produceren, genoeg voor honderd miljard pintjes.

The first solar concentrator farm in the European process industry was inaugurated in the Port of Antwerp on 23 October. The Genk-based energy company Azteq has installed the solar reflectors for the logistics company Adpo. The installation forms part of a trial project with the support of the Flemish government.

The Nautical & Operational Cluster (NOC) at quays 602-612 has now officially entered service. All technical and nautical employees of Port of Antwerp have moved to their new workplace, and the services have finally been centralised. The Shipping Police will also move into this site in November. The ceremonial opening was held on 25 October.

The German chemical concern BASF announced at the beginning of October that it plans to invest more than half a million euros in production of ethylene oxide in the port. This follows on from a long series of investments by the chemical industry.

The SAFIR consortium held an Open Door day in the port of Antwerp on 26 September at which it presented a large number of industrial and commercial drone applications, with live demonstrations. Test flights demonstrated the safety and economic viability of integrated drone traffic in a challenging environment.

The British web trader Made.com teams up with Katoen Natie to send furniture from Antwerp to ten different countries, boosting Belgian e-commerce.

The ecological footprint of Port of Antwerp remains stable while freight volume and industrial output continue to rise. This is one of the main conclusions of the fifth Sustainability Report, an initiative of Port of Antwerp, the Left Bank Development Corporation and VOKA-Alfaport (chamber of commerce).

The uncertainty over Brexit continues but one thing is clear: as soon as the UK leaves the European Union in one way or another, there will be big changes in British imports and exports. Port of Antwerp sees new opportunities here, such as a shift from ferry to container transport.