Ports of Antwerp-Bruges and Rotterdam want to step up cooperation
The ports of Antwerp-Bruges and Rotterdam want to set aside their rivalry and cooperate more closely, the ports' CEOs said in an interview with De Tijd on Tuesday.
The geopolitical context is forcing the ports, historically rivals, to work together. Boudewijn Siemons, CEO of the Port of Rotterdam, told De Tijd that in order to increase Europe's competitiveness on the global market and become more independent, the industry must cooperate.
"If we start competing against each other at European level, that's just not smart"
"The industry is in a difficult situation everywhere in Europe. The world is becoming an increasingly unstable place," he said. "It is high time that our industry stopped being dominated by what is happening in the United States, China or the Middle East. If we start competing against each other at European level, that's just not smart."
There are no concrete projects in the pipeline, but a traditional merger is out of the question. "The spectrum between not cooperating and merging is very wide," says Jacques Vandermeiren, CEO of the Port of Antwerp-Bruges. "We will always be competitors."
Green energy
The focus is on decarbonisation and decongestion. The ports want to discuss cooperation on digital platforms and the creation of a "green corridor" between Rotterdam and Antwerp, for battery-powered barges that need to be recharged.
"Together we have much more influence"
Another example is the new infrastructure needed to transport green energy to the heart of Europe's chemical industry, between Antwerp, Rotterdam and Duisburg. Building and maintaining that infrastructure can be faster, easier and cheaper if the ports work together.
Finally, the CEOs also aim to amplify their voice with European policymakers regarding the future of the industry. "Together we have much more influence," said Siemons.
#FlandersNewsService | © BELGA PHOTO JONAS ROOSENS
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