Port of Antwerp Experiences Growth in First Half of Year

July, 9, 2021 - During the first six months of 2021, 120 million tonnes were handled in the Port of Antwerp, an increase of 5% compared with the same period last year and status quo compared to 2019, despite the impact of the ongoing pandemic. Cargo to and from the UK and Ireland also shows positive figures; the expanded shortsea connections in response to Brexit are proving effective.

Growth despite ongoing corona crisis

Containers are the only cargo type that has continuously grown since 2014, up by 4,3% in the first half of the year compared to 2020 and by 3,9% compared to 2019 (in tonnes). Conventional breakbulk grows by 41,2% compared to 2020 and equals the throughput of the first 6 months of 2019. The throughput of iron and steel, the main goods group in this segment, increased by 37,8% due to a peak in the supply of steel. RoRo also did very well in 2021 and increased by 22% compared to the first half of 2020.

Dry bulk handling increased by 7,5% but there are fluctuations because some products, such as fertilisers, are seasonal. Liquid bulk grew slightly by 1,3% compared to 2020 but decreased by 6,1% compared to 2019. In May, the volume of fuels was the highest since October last year, while the handling of chemicals increased by 8,9% compared to 2020. Demand for chemicals is booming globally due to the recovery in industrial production and is exceeding pre-pandemic levels.

Brexit: growth in a declining market

With an annual cargo flow of around 15 million tonnes, the United Kingdom is the third largest maritime trade partner for the port of Antwerp. The start of Brexit at the beginning of this year therefore created major challenges due to increased administrative complexities and more controls, which resulted in congestion, longer transit times and higher costs. As a result, the flow of goods between the EU and the UK is decreasing. Despite these difficult conditions, however, the port of Antwerp recorded growth in total throughput of 11,1% with the UK and 12,1% with Ireland in the first half of the year compared to the same period in 2020.

In preparation for the Brexit, Port of Antwerp has put all its efforts into further expanding short sea connections with the UK and Ireland in order to achieve the modal shift from ferry to container transport. Five years after the ‘Leave’ vote, the port of Antwerp is now connected to 12 British and Irish ports, and we see that Irish importers and exporters are increasingly abandoning the land bridge over the UK and are instead opting for a direct maritime connection.

SOURCE: Port of Antwerp

Port of Antwerp Awards Breakbulk Concession

July 6, 2021 - At the end of last year, Port of Antwerp launched an appeal for the water-bound site of around 15 ha beside Churchill Dock South and expressly demanded ‘breakbulk’ activities. Meanwhile, both the appeal and the contract negotiations are complete. PSA Breakbulk NV will become the new concessionaire. In the context of the new project cargo ecosystem on the site, PSA Breakbulk NV has arranged a merger, involving 50% of its shares, with the Austrian association Felbermayr Holding GmbH, as specialists in heavy lifting activities.

The area around the Churchill Dock has historically developed into one of the most important sites for breakbulk terminals at the port of Antwerp, a fact that has been further consolidated by this choice of concessionaire. Port of Antwerp aims to fuel projects in the breakbulk and project cargo segment as much as possible and believes in its development, which is why the organised appeal explicitly demanded the presence of breakbulk activities.

Port of Antwerp is delighted to accommodate this new project and thus strengthen its position as a breakbulk port in Europe. In Q1 this year, the breakbulk segment enjoyed its best quarter since Q2 2019. The throughput of iron and steel, the most important goods group in this segment, increased by 18.2% due to a peak in the supply of steel, which can be explained by the new import quotas that have taken effect since 1 April.

acques Vandermeiren, CEO Port of Antwerp: “The joint project by these two firms (PSA Breakbulk NV and Felbermayr Holding GmbH), has been founded on concrete commitments, which are fully aligned with the intended concession objective. Breakbulk generates a high added value in our port's portfolio, so it's crucial that we continue to highlight these goods.”

Port Alderman Annick De Ridder: “Antwerp has been the ultimate breakbulk port in Europe for many centuries. As a result, we have all the quality, experience and flexibility in-house to provide solutions tailored to the customer's needs. You only need to look at the growth figures in the last quarter. Awarding this concession to a breakbulk player confirms that this segment remains an absolute priority for our port and that we will continue to support our breakbulk market.”

Dennis Verbeeck, General Manager PSA Breakbulk NV: "In addition to the focus on steel, we will work out a project cargo ecosystem together with Felbermayr (now a shareholder of PSA Breakbulk NV) with a logistics hub and one-stop-shop for large-scale project cargo. The planned crane with a lifting capacity of 750 tonnes will contribute to the realisation of the project."

About PSA International

PSA International (PSA) is a leading port group and trusted partner for cargo stakeholders. With flagship activities in Singapore and Antwerp, PSA's global network comprises more than 50 locations in 26 countries worldwide. The Group's portfolio includes over 60 deep-sea, rail and inland terminals, as well as affiliated activities in distriparks, warehouses and maritime services.

SOURCE: Port of Antwerp

Gene Seroka Honored with Lifetime Achievement Award from Inland Empire Economic Partnership

June 16, 2021 – Recognizing decades of leadership and accomplishments in the supply chain, logistics and maritime industry, the Inland Empire Economic Partnership (IEEP) has named Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka as its seventh annual recipient of the Southern California Logistics Council Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence in Supply Chain & Logistics Management. The honor was presented recently at the 2021 Southern California E-commerce and Logistics Summit.

“Gene Seroka is the living definition of excellence in logistics and supply chain management,” said Paul Granillo, president and CEO of IEEP. “Because of all that Gene has achieved for our industry, he is very deserving of this award.”

The IEEP’s Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes business leaders who exemplify management excellence, exhibit high levels of integrity in moral and ethical conduct, lead beyond borders to meet the requirements of stakeholders, and ultimately serve the common good, among other criteria.

“Because the Inland Empire is such a vital part of our nation’s largest trade gateway, I’m grateful to receive this award from an organization that has done so much to address the many pressing needs of our industry and the one in nine jobs it helps facilitate here in Southern California,” said Seroka. “I look forward to continued involvement with IEEP and contributing to its important initiatives in the future.”

Seroka has served as the Executive Director of the Port of Los Angeles — the busiest container port in North America — since 2014. During his tenure, he has led the Port to record-breaking cargo volumes, including setting a new record for a Western Hemisphere port this month when Los Angeles passed the 10-million annual container volume threshold. Seroka’s focus on supply chain optimization and infrastructure digitalization are credited among the reasons for the Port’s ongoing success.

In presenting the award, IEEP also pointed to Seroka’s leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic. Appointed in March 2020 by Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti as the city’s Chief Logistics Officer, Seroka spearheaded Logistics Victory Los Angeles (LoVLA), an initiative to get critical personal protective equipment and emergency supplies through the supply chain to healthcare workers and others on the pandemic frontlines.

North America’s leading seaport by container volume and cargo value, the Port of Los Angeles facilitated $259 billion in trade during 2020. San Pedro Bay port complex operations and commerce facilitate one in nine jobs across the counties of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura. The Port of Los Angeles has remained open with all terminals operational throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

SOURCE: Port of Los Angeles

Port of Gothenburg Ready to Enter Joint Venture with Property Company Castellum

June 22, 2021 - The Gothenburg Port Authority has signed a letter of intent with the property company Castellum to develop the Halvorsäng area into one of the foremost logistics hubs in Sweden. A joint venture company will be established in which both parties will have equal shares.

The aim of the partnership is to facilitate planning, development, and construction at Halvorsäng, with a view to owning, managing, and leasing the completed facilities. The land area is approximately 270,000 square metres, including 155,000 square metres of building space. Construction is due to commence during 2021 and will take four years to complete.

“We have arrived at an ideal solution for all concerned, but with the land remaining at the disposal of the Gothenburg Port Authority. The plan is to share costs and risks with a partner that has the requisite knowledge and expertise in the development of logistics facilities that will benefit the port as a whole,” said Elvir Dzanic, Gothenburg Port Authority chief executive.

The project was given the go ahead by the City Executive Board last week although the setting up of a joint venture company will be subject to approval by the City Council.

“We are currently awaiting a decision from the City Council that will facilitate long-term collaboration, ultimately leading to the development of logistics facilities that will help fulfil the goals of the partners and create new job opportunities throughout the region,” said Henrik Saxborn, Castellum AB chief executive.

Castellum’s initial investment will involve acquiring a 50% interest in the land, at an estimated cost of around SEK 400-450 million, and with a further investment of SEK 550 million in development. Castellum was chosen as the port’s partner following a selection process at the end of last year. The Port Authority reviewed a number of bids in which financial and environmental considerations were key factors.

A letter of intent has been signed by both parties with the aim of putting a system in place to deal with customer enquiries and ensure construction can get under way towards the end of this year. The original timetable for the project has been adhered to, with working groups focusing on the different parts of a future shareholders’ agreement. If everything goes to plan, the project can commence in the autumn.

“Although we are still in the early stages we are firmly committed to the successful development of Halvorsäng. With direct links to the port and major highways, Halvorsäng will become an amazing focal point for the logistics of the future,” said Mariette Hilmersson, Castellum Region West chief executive.

Located directly north of the port’s terminals, immediately beside the Hisingsleden bypass, Halvorsäng is ideally situated to handle incoming freight for onward transport throughout Sweden and Scandinavia by road or rail.

SOURCE:  Gothenburg Port Authority