“The Port of Antwerp is more than just a magnificent calling card”
There is no doubting the fact that, as a global haulier (freight forwarding, shipping & logistics), Sealogis is at home in many international ports, including Port of Antwerp-Bruges. “For us, the Port of Antwerp with its international image is a really rewarding tool to put our activities ‘in the picture’,” says CEO Edwig Laenen.
(foto @copyright Port of Antwerp),
“Particularly since the recent merger with the Port of Zeebrugge, Port of Antwerp-Bruges is one of the largest European ports and possesses the 2nd largest petrochemical cluster in the world (after Houston). These assets make a difference,” says Edwig Laenen, as he and his team reap the rewards of the strong image portrayed by Port of Antwerp-Bruges.
“The multicompetence and multifunctionality of the Port of Antwerp is an effective tool for Sealogis Belgium in promoting its services.”
Dynamic and in full growth
“The Port of Antwerp is highly dynamic and fast-growing. To demonstrate: in the early years of Sealogis Freight Forwarding Belgium – I’m talking about 27 years ago - the container volume at the port reached around 3.5 million TEU, which at the time was comparable with the volume at the French port of Le Havre. Meanwhile, the volume in Antwerp has risen to around 14 million TEU.
For me, these are the real advantages of Port of Antwerp-Bruges:
- Well-located sea port in the hinterland
- Wide distribution area: Benelux, northern France, Germany, East Europe, etc.
- Shortsea connections with UK and the Mediterranean
- 6 million m2 of logistics storage with extensive facilities
- Industrial activities in the port area
- Extensive petrochemical hub
- One of Belgium’s largest employers, with 5% GNP.
Separate Forwarding department
“Antwerp’s port industry is highly organised and collaborates closely with the business world,” says Edwig. “Among other things, a separate Forwarding department in the port helps us to persuade our prospects to come and do business in Antwerp. This department organises events, such as presentations and guided tours around the hyper-modern Port Authority Building and the port area.”
Logistics storage areas in the port
“What stands out for me is the tremendous availability and diversity of logistics zones in this port, offering around 6 million m2 of storage and warehousing. Thanks to this incredible logistics capacity, our logistics department can always very quickly rent the perfect areas for a diverse range of products (food, chemicals, machines, toys, etc.). Furthermore, all logistical maritime facilities are in place to take care of cargo loading, unloading, storage, etc.”
To support our logistics ambitions, we also now rent a state-of-the-art warehouse with multimodal access, located at the DLCT terminal adjacent to the Albert Canal in Grobbendonk (Antwerp East Port), a few kilometres outside the Port of Antwerp.
“In short, for us, the Port of Antwerp is so much more than a magnificent calling card.”
Tip: Freight - Are the port and traders ready for the future?
Just a few hundred metres from the Sealogis Belgium office in Antwerp you can visit ’Freight’, as the permanent exhibition in the MAS Museum. Where are the earliest origins of the port city of Antwerp? Which freight has been coming and going in the city for centuries, and what do container ships in the docks transport today? Find out with a visit to the Freight exhibition at the MAS.
