Port of Antwerp CEO on his mission in Austria
“Austria is a major market for the port of Antwerp. This is why we are continuously developing new hinterland transports by rail to intensify business relations,” said Jacques Vandermeiren, CEO of Antwerp Port Authority, on the sidelines of the EPCA European Petrochemical Association event, where the Belgian seaport presented itself as Europe’s second largest petrochemical cluster.
At the three-day event in Vienna, Antwerp is representing itself as a partner to increase added value and the competitiveness of European industry. In line with that, value-added services in the port will be accompanied by attractive, reliable and fast hinterland rail connections and worldwide maritime liner services.
The port of Antwerp and the port community see themselves as part of the shippers value-added chain. Depending on the individual requirements, concepts for optimising the supply chain will created. Goods can be stored at the port, repackaged, processed or refined. Value-added services by specialist companies are provided for e.g. the automotive sector ( inspection, repair, equipment with accessories), steel ( cutting, labeling, packaging) or perishables ( quality control, maturation, phytosanitary inspection services). In addition, takeover of the complete customs clearance is offered.
Antwerp has been the growth leader among western ports for years. In 2017, 4.4 per cent and 4.3 per cent more respectively, was handled in total and in the container sector (in tonnes) in the port, compared with the previous year.