The port of Antwerp is the gateway to Europe, through which more than 182 million tonnes of cargo flows in 2007 - a figure that is constantly on the increase.

Antwerp is the second largest port in Europe for international shipping freight and a world-class container port. But freight transhipment is by no means the port's only activity: goods are also stored, repacked, dispatched and then distributed to their final destinations from Antwerp.

Antwerp's central position within North West Europe makes it a preferred location, offering excellent access to the major European industrial centres and a large potential consumer base. As a seaport, Antwerp is an important link in the chain of international trade. And thanks to its enormous storage capacity the port acts as the supermarket of Europe where all types of products obtain the specialised handling and storage that they require.

Finally, Antwerp is the perfect port of the future as it is the only seaport that can receive millions of tonnes of cargo so far inland. Cargo can be brought 80 km inland to Antwerp by the most environmentally friendly means of transport, which therefore avoids many truckloads having to be carried over the same distance.

A major cargo facility

Antwerp is a multifunctional port, where all types of cargo are loaded, unloaded, stored and handled in the appropriate way. This demands specialised equipment and trained personnel. The port also has a significant cargo-generating effect. Compared to other West European ports, Antwerp has a well-balanced ratio of export to imports for most types of cargo. This remarkable feature is thanks to Antwerp's central inland location. The presence of over 300 forwarding companies also contributes to Antwerp's ability and capacity to attract imports and exports.

The Port of Antwerp handled more than 16,000 ships in 2007, representing a total gross tonnage of 288 million ton. The modal split of global traffic was inland waterway 32%, road 31%, pipeline 21%, rail 12% and transhipment 4%. To cope with this the port has an internal transport network of around 169 miles (270 km) of roads, 625 miles (1,000 km) of railway lines and 188 miles (300 km) of pipelines. It links directly into several major European freeways and is connected directly into the major northern European inland waterway systems. In addition, the port is located some 45 minutes from Brussels International Airport's freight handling facility.

Storage & specialized warehousing

Antwerp has a longstanding illustrious tradition as a center for international commerce. Nowadays, this is even more so, as the port serves as a vital link between international sea trading routes and Europe's multimodal transport network. Antwerp is strategically positioned for companies' seeking to capture 60 percent of the European Union's buying power as this 'mega market' is within a 500-kilometre radius of the greater Antwerp area.

From a logistics perspective, Antwerp is strategically positioned for shippers to strengthen their competitive position, while reducing cost and transport time. To support this market, the port, as a vital link in the supply chain, is recognised as the gateway of choice by major third and fourth-party logistics providers, and other leading service-oriented groups involved in shipping, transport and industrial warehousing/distribution facilities.

The port offers 5.3 million square metres of warehouse capacity. Thus, Antwerp is by far the largest provider of storage of all European ports, offering more covered space than all other ports in North-western Europe combined. Many of the warehouses are specially equipped to handle particular kinds of cargo: there are special silos for grain, cement, plastics, quartz sand, coffee and wine, along with reefer tanks for fruit juice and warehouses for cocoa, tea, tobacco, sugar, chemicals, China clay and forest products. There are also refrigerated warehouses for meat, fish, tropical fruit and dairy products, while oils, fats, petroleum products and chemicals are kept in special tanks. Additionally, warehouse facilities are provided for products with special requirements in terms of temperature and ventilation. And when it comes to dangerous goods there are storage centres that comply with the strictest national and European regulations for fire prevention, firefighting, safety at work and protection of the environment.

Large petrochemical and industrial cluster

In addition to transhipment and distribution activities many industrial companies are also situated within the port area. For example, Opel Belgium has one of its largest assembly plants in Antwerp.

The chemical and petrochemical industries are particularly well represented, with the port ensuring a continuous and inexpensive supply of raw materials. No less than 10 of the world's top 20 chemical producers have selected Antwerp as one of their main locations. With four steam cracker installations, the port provides a stable local source for ethylene and other basic chemicals, as well as a surprisingly large diversity of chemical products. Antwerp is the main hub of the Western European pipeline network. Not only does it provide logistical expertise, an excellent infrastructure and a wide supply of service providers, but it also offers the potential for substantial growth.

Since more than 300 chemicals are produced locally, opportunities for new companies to participate in the synergies generated by this cluster are considerable. The port of Antwerp offers a fast growing platform for the safe efficient transportation and distribution of chemicals. The port of Antwerp is considered to be one of the pillars of production of basic chemicals in Europe. Antwerp has a capacity of 2,18 million tonnes of ethylene per annum, or 9.2 percent of the total European capacity. It also generates 11.8 percent of the total European propylene output. A comparison of the six major petrochemical commodities, the so-called "big six" (ethylene, propylene, butadiene, benzene, toluene and xylene), reveals that Antwerp, with a cumulative output of 4.793 million tonnes, is Europe's largest petrochemical commodities centre.

Nautical access

Antwerp lies on the River Scheldt, and as a port it is dependent on the river. In order to ensure navigability and cater for new developments in shipping it is planned to deepen the navigation channel. The dredging work started in 2007 and should be completed by the end of 2009. The Scheldt will then offer a tide-independent navigation depth of 13.10 m (42 ft). Deepening the river in this way will widen the tide windows and allow ships with drafts of more than 49.2 ft to reach the port more quickly.

A second lock on the Waasland canal is being planned to improve shipping access to the port area on the left bank of the river. The second lock will also ensure greater security of operation; at present the only shipping access to this area is via the Kallo lock.

Extensive transport network

Antwerp is the second largest port in Europe, handling an annual volume of more than 150 million tonnes. As a seaport, Antwerp is a key link in the chain of international trade. Every year 15,000 seagoing ships and more than 65,000 barges call at Antwerp. Some 250 cargo trains are loaded and unloaded every day, while thousands of trucks drive in and out the port. Vast quantities of liquids are also transported to and from Antwerp through the extensive pipeline network.

Thanks to its extensive transport network, the port of Antwerp is connected to all the European centers of consumption and production. Moreover, the wide variety of transport modes available in the port offers a high degree of flexibility, making it possible to find the most appropriate transport mode. Some 4 percent of the incoming sea cargo volume is transhipped and leaves the port again by sea. Both road and barge transport carry approximately one-third of the cargo volume, pipelines just over one-fifth, while rail transport accounts for one-eighth.

Container terminal expansion

Antwerp ranks No. 12 in the world for container cargo. A major advantage of using Antwerp is the number of leading specialised container terminals within the port - both on the river and in the dock areas.

Significant investments in infrastructure and the development of a tidal dock with state-of-the-art container terminals will enable further development of the port and help to consolidate its market position. The new Deurganck dock - in use since July 2005 - will allow the port of Antwerp to more than double its container transhipment.
The Deurganck dock will eventually be able to handle 6.4 million TEU annually at full capacity, and the operators aim to raise this capacity even further. The Deurganck dock offers nearly 5.3 kilometres of quayside and is 450 m wide. The finished project will cover an area of 581 ha.

Source: Port of Antwerp, http://www.portofantwerp.com