The ports of Antwerp-Bruges and Rotterdam have announced plans for closer cooperation.
The CEOs of both ports revealed their intentions in an interview with the newspaper De Tijd during the World Economic Forum in Davos.
Jacques Vandermeiren, CEO of the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, told De Tijd there were no plans for a merger of the ports but deeper collaboration will benefit both sites..
"We are dealing with the same challenges at the same time. It is purely economic logic to tackle them together," said Boudewijn Siemons, CEO of the Port of Rotterdam.
New transport routes
In the coming years, new infrastructure will be required to transport green energy to the heart of Europe’s chemical industry, located in the triangle between Antwerp, Rotterdam and Duisburg (Germany). Joint efforts could make this process faster, simpler and more cost-effective. Vandermeiren expects European and other governments to encourage such initiatives.
The ports also intend to discuss cooperation on digital platforms and the creation of a "green corridor" between Rotterdam and Antwerp, referring to infrastructure for battery-powered inland vessels.
"There are already ships with battery packs, but they need recharging or pack swapping. These facilities should be available along the entire corridor," the CEO explained. "We can agree to make this mode of transport greener. It would have an immediate positive impact on road traffic."
