Zeebruge-Antwerp port merged in the green energy hub of Europe

Publié par TRAVEL TOP COUNTRY MAG MEDIA sur 5 Mai 2022, 18:00pm

Jacques Vandermeiren, CEO of the Antwerp-Brugge Port, Annick De Ridder, Vice-Mayor of the City city of Antwerp, Dirk De Fauw, Mayor of the city of Bruges Vice-President of the Port of Zeebrugge, Dirk De fauw

At the press conference in the Maritime Port of Antwerp, CEO Jacques Vandermeiren, Annick De Ridder, Vice-Mayor of the City of Antwerp, Mayor city of Bruges & Vice-President Port of Zeebrugge Dirk De fauw pushed the bar and declared the merger between the two Belgian ports. A first step together beyond Europe level with a minded "Green deal. "

During the pandemic, the two Belgians ports decided to strengh their assets by a merger. Last week, the representative of City of Antwerp and Bruges said " Yes" more than a marriage. The Port of Antwerp is currently the second one at European level behind Rotherdam. Together, the leaders have ambition to push at world level. Following the signing of the shareholders' agreement of the unified port company on 22 April 2022, the ports of Antwerp and Zeebrugge will operate from now on under the name of

Port of Antwerp-Bruges.

This unified port provides no fewer than 74,000 direct and 90,000 indirect jobs and with an added value of nearly €21 billion or 4.5% of Belgian GDP, is by far the largest economic engine in our country. Europe's largest export port, the Port of Antwerp-Bruges will also be the largest throughput port for vehicles, the largest integrated chemical cluster and one of the leading container ports in Europe. Port of Antwerp-Bruges has the express ambition of becoming the first global port to reconcile economy, people and climate. The unified port plans to further strengthen its position in the international logistics chain, take a leading role in the energy and digital transition, and at the same time create sustainable added value for society as a whole. Not just for the area of Antwerp and Zeebrugge, but also for all possible stakeholders in the wider national and international region.

Fight against pollution: zero Pellet loss

The challenge: zero pellet loss while loading from silos
The plastic pellets are mainly stored in silos for further throughput. During the loading process of load bulk trucks and containers spills may occur, despite existing retention and cleaning procedures. In addition, there is also the risk of plastic pellets remaining on top of the bulk truck or on the chassis and entering the environment in that way. Various initiatives have already been implemented by producers and logistics players to limit possible losses, such as collars around the loading arms to retain any pellets that might be splashed.

Nevertheless, there is still room for innovation to further optimize the process. After all, to prevent the remaining loss of pellets is often the most difficult. Given that the port of Antwerp acts as a polymer hub that is home to very many different firms within the plastic value chain, the challenge is precisely to take into account a diversity of types of silos, users, procedures, containers and polymers.

INNOVATION: Fight Energy crisis

First in hydrogen and CO₂ reuse

Port of Antwerp-Bruges intends to anchor its position as a green energy hub and help shape the energy transition towards a sustainable future. The unified port will continue and extend its pioneering project for the capture, storage and reuse of CO₂. Via Antwerp@C, the first 2.5 million tons of CO₂ will be captured from industry on the port by 2025. This CO₂ will be stored and eventually reused as a raw material for a wide range of applications.

In addition, the combination of Antwerp's position as the second largest petrochemical cluster in the world and the coastal position of Zeebrugge provides a unique opportunity to take a leading role in the roll-out of the hydrogen economy. By 2028, Port of Antwerp-Bruges plans to have the capacity to receive the first green hydrogen molecules on its platform. To this end, it is working to expand terminal capacity for existing and new hydrogen carriers at both port sites. A hydrogen pipeline between the two sites and towards the European hinterland will ensure that the port area as a whole and, by extension, Belgium and a large part of Europe, can make use of this important carrier for renewable energy.

Finally, Port of Antwerp-Bruges will offer various peerless strengths in innovation and digitisation that will make the logistical chain not only more efficient, but also safer and more reliable. By combining forces and focusing on connection and collaboration, and thanks to strategic investments, Port of Antwerp-Bruges and, by extension, our society, will be able to meet the challenges of the future.

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