News

Expansion of rail shuttles in the Port of Antwerp
More train connections with the hinterland
Railway operators offer extra train connections between Antwerp and the hinterland

On 11 June, the HMM Algeciras moored in the port of Antwerp. The mega-ship from South-Korean shipping company HMM is the largest container ship in the world with a cargo capacity of 23,964 TEU, 20-foot-containers. She is 400 metres long, 61 metres wide and has 23 crew members.

Port of Antwerp and the Gent area of the North Sea Port wish to further digitalise inland waterways via various projects. Thanks to AIS (Automatic Identification System), push boats and inland waterway ships can be easily tracked in the port and on the Flemish waterways. This improves safety and efficiency within the waterways. But what about pushed barges? They rarely have their own power supply and, in turn, don't have AIS to locate them. Thanks to the introduction of a tracker, port authorities, owners, operators and shipping companies will always know where each pushed barge or convoy is located.

The Port of Antwerp is working on the development of an inland waterways app. An application that can be used by ship's captains to make advanced electronic registrations, request access through a lock, and consult available moorings in real-time. The benefits? Smoother passage through the port and a more efficient internal waterways system.

In order to support the Port of Antwerp concession-holders in the present exceptional circumstances, Antwerp Port Authority and Maatschappij Linkerscheldeoever (MLSO) have agreed to grant an extension of the payment period for domain concession fees.

Container handling in the port of Antwerp is a complex process involving many players. Releasing containers is a vulnerable and time-consuming process which carries the risk of misuse and mistakes. In order to guarantee security and improve the operational efficiency and transparency, Port of Antwerp has introduced a new procedure, namely Certified Pick up. All players involved in container handling will have to join this procedure.

Port of Antwerp is teaming up with six other partners to build a Power-to-Methanol demonstration plant, representing another significant step in the transition to alternative sources of energy. The aim is to produce 8000 tonnes of sustainable methanol per year.