News

A "little tree" made of steel was recently erected on the banks of the Scheldt bearing a port haiku by the local artist and writer Geert De Kockere. It marks the spot where in centuries past an actual tree ('t Boomke) pointed the way to mariners as they approached the port or left it once more.

The first Silk Road train bound exclusively for Antwerp arrived on 12 May. The freight train that left the Chinese port city of Tangshan on 26 April was officially welcomed in the port of Antwerp. This direct train link between China and Antwerp forms part of the Chinese transnational "Belt & Road Initiative" with which China seeks to revive the ancient trading routes between Asia and Europe.

This month the port community is taking part in an awareness-raising campaign entitled "Plastic-free May" with the aim of reducing superfluous use of plastic in our society. For the port this is an excellent opportunity to demonstrate the balance between Antwerp as the main polymer hub in Europe and our active participation in the Zero Pellet Loss project.

Antwerp Port Authority has presented its new Business Plan. "In today's fast-changing world we aim to be a safe home port and act as a lever for all those who see opportunities and embrace challenge," says CEO Jacques Vandermeiren. "Our main advantages for this are our great adaptability and our strong focus on innovation and digitisation. We constantly strive for sustainable added value, while assuming our responsibility towards society."

A collaboration agreement was signed today, Thursday 24 May, in the port of Antwerp between on the one side Port of Antwerp International (PAI), the consultancy and investment subsidiary of Antwerp Port Authority, and APEC, its maritime training centre, and on the other Gambia Ports Authority which manages the port of Banjul in The Gambia. The collaboration, which will mainly take the form of training and consulting, underlines the leading role that the port of Antwerp plays in West Africa.

Chinese ‘Belt and Road Initiative’ seeks to enhance Eurasian connectivity.

The climate target of getting Belgian CO2 emissions 35% lower by 2030 is a formidable challenge. In this context Antwerp Port Authority and gas infrastructure operator Fluxys believe strongly that carbon capture, storage and reuse by industry is an important weapon in the fight against climate change. They are therefore teaming up to take further practical steps that will help give shape to the energy transition.

The Antwerp port community and its various partners went on a trade mission to Moscow and Saint Petersburg from 22 to 28 April. During the mission the Antwerp delegation visited a number of leading companies, research & innovation centres and other locations. Investment seminars were also given and there were opportunities for networking for the benefit of the Antwerp entrepreneurs.

On May 7, APCS, the Antwerp Port Community System, will metamorphose into Cpoint, an innovative platform that stands for community, communication and connection. The familiar APCS applications will be retained and will be brought under NxtPort.