The Port of Antwerp: Free capacity and 'cost & time' saving solutions

But above all with our new Deurganckdock, we are the only Northern European port with readily available and congestion-free container capacity. Our Port is also known for its excellent productivity, which is the highest of all European ports. This means we can save your time and money. Therefore, our port shows double-digit growth in containers and in 2007 we handled more than 8 million TEU with a capacity now totaling 15 million TEU.

Sixty percent of the European purchasing power lies within 500 km from Antwerp. Our central location in the market and our excellent hinterland connection by rail, barge, pipeline and road make our port a leading gateway for European traffic. The nearby areas of our port are also considered ideal for European Distribution Centers (EDC's).

We aim to increase our share, particularly in the fast growing Asia/China trade lane with a focus on inbound traffic from China. To this end, the Antwerp Port Authority - supported by the whole Antwerp Port Community - has launched a project named "IM-PACT on China" and appointed a dedicated China team.

The project wants to attract new customers through targeted commercial action. At the same time, we wish to increase significantly our name recognition, visibility and presence in China. Thus, we will participate and host several events in the month of June:

We organize a high-level seminar for selected Chinese shipping and forwarding companies in Antwerp.

We will participate in the Transport & Logistics Fair in Shanghai.

On June 18, we will host a networking reception in Shanghai.

On June 20, we will hold an Antwerp Port Day in Ningbo.

We will organize B-to-B dialogues in Tianjin and Beijing, in cooperation with the Development Authority of Antwerp(POM).

In the presence of the Consul General of Belgium and the Chairman of the Board of the Antwerp Port Authority, more than 20 companies and 60 persons will represent the logistics companies from the Port of Antwerp and the Port Authority at the Shanghai, Ningbo, Tianjin and Beijing events.

We hope to meet you at our Antwerp stand no. 313/508-Hall E2 at the Transport & Logistics fair to further explain you what the Port of Antwerp has to offer to your company.

(China Daily 06/16/2008 page18)