duisport and Port of Antwerp-Bruges agree long-term partnership

  • Cooperation on energy transition, hinterland connections and infrastructure
  • Further step in the expansion of the European Future Network

High-ranking representatives of duisport and Port of Antwerp-Bruges signed a long-term cooperation agreement yesterday. duisport CEO Markus Bangen and Jacques Vandermeiren, CEO of Port of Antwerp-Bruges, sealed the far-reaching partnership in the presence of Flemish Prime Minister Jan Jambon.

North Rhine-Westphalia's Minister for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Transport, Oliver Krischer, as well as the Vice-Mayor of the City of Antwerp and President of the Board of Port of Antwerp-Bruges, Annick De Ridder, attended the event, as did Josef Hovenjürgen, Parliamentary State Secretary in the Ministry for Home Affairs, Municipal Affairs, Building and Digitization of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia

At the heart of the agreement is the expansion of cooperation in the areas of energy transition, rail and hinterland connections, and port infrastructure. All three areas are of outstanding importance for the reliable supply of industry and the stabilization of supply chains between Germany and Belgium and within Europe.

From left: Josef Hovenjürgen, Parlamentarischer Staatssekretär im Ministerium für Heimat, Kommunales, Bau und Digitalisierung des Landes Nordrhein-Westfalen, duisport-CEO Markus Bangen, Vizebürgermeisterin der Stadt Antwerpen und Präsidentin des Vorstands des Port of Antwerp-Bruges, Annick De Ridder, der flämische Ministerpräsidenten Jan Jambon, Jacques Vandermeiren, CEO des Port of Antwerp-Bruges, und Oliver Krischer, Nordrhein-Westfalens Minister für Umwelt, Naturschutz und Verkehr. ​ Copyright: Andreas Endermann
From left: Josef Hovenjürgen, Parlamentarischer Staatssekretär im Ministerium für Heimat, Kommunales, Bau und Digitalisierung des Landes Nordrhein-Westfalen, duisport-CEO Markus Bangen, Vizebürgermeisterin der Stadt Antwerpen und Präsidentin des Vorstands des Port of Antwerp-Bruges, Annick De Ridder, der flämische Ministerpräsidenten Jan Jambon, Jacques Vandermeiren, CEO des Port of Antwerp-Bruges, und Oliver Krischer, Nordrhein-Westfalens Minister für Umwelt, Naturschutz und Verkehr. ​ Copyright: Andreas Endermann

Supply chain for hydrogen

The European energy system will increasingly focus on sustainable energy sources, with green hydrogen carriers playing a crucial role. The development of solutions for the import, storage and distribution of green hydrogen in various forms is therefore one of the main strategic pillars of the cooperation between the two ports. The goal is to build an international supply chain for hydrogen in which both partners become central hydrogen hubs for Europe.

To achieve this goal, duisport and Port of Antwerp-Bruges want to establish a high-frequency rail shuttle in addition to planned pipeline connections and establish rail as a "rolling pipeline". The expansion of the hinterland network, the promotion of sustainable multimodal transport connections, and the steady shift to environmentally friendly modes of transport are substantial for the realization of the energy transition.

As both ports aim for climate neutrality by 2050, the development of environmentally friendly port handling equipment is also part of the joint agreement.

Expansion of the Future Network

For duisport, the cooperation with Port of Antwerp-Bruges is another important step in the expansion of its future network. Similar agreements were already concluded with the ports of Rotterdam and Amsterdam in May and June of this year.

"Our ports have a key role in their regions as leading logistics and industrial centers and are already linked by various multimodal connections. Against the background of the current global challenges, it is only logical that we sustainably strengthen our European partner network and cooperate even more closely," says duisport CEO Markus Bangen.
Jacques Vandermeiren, CEO of Port of Antwerp-Bruges: “To realize the ambitious plan to become a climate neutral continent, we have to guarantee the European industry reliable and secure access to renewable energy sources. The import, transmission and distribution of green molecules needs short, mid and long term solutions. Developing a robust multimodal supply system will be fundamental to make the change happen. And we are pleased that duisport and Port of Antwerp-Bruges are combining forces to that end."

MORE THAN A PORT.

Duisburger Hafen AG is the owner and management company of the Port of Duisburg, ​
the largest inland port in the world. The duisport Group offers full-service packages for the port and logistics location in the areas of infra- and suprastructure including settlement management. In addition, the subsidiaries provide logistic services such as the establishment and optimization of transport and logistics chains, rail freight services, facility management, contract and packaging logistics, and the management of the port.management, contract and packaging logistics.
www.duisport.de

Contact
Andreas Bartel / Linda Wosnitza ​
Tel +49 203 803-4465
presse@duisport.de

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About Port of Antwerp-Bruges

With an overall throughput of 271 million tonnes per year, Port of Antwerp-Bruges is a critical hub in worldwide trade and industry. The port is a crucial link for the handling of containers, breakbulk and for the throughput of vehicles. Port of Antwerp-Bruges is home to 1,400 companies and accommodates the largest integrated chemical cluster in Europe. The port provides, directly and indirectly, a total of around 164,000 jobs and generates an added value of 21 billion euros.
 
The ambition for Port of Antwerp-Bruges is clear - to become the world's first port that reconciles economy, people and climate. As well as growing in a sustainable way, the Port also aims to focus on its unique position as a logistics, maritime and industrial centre and to take the lead in the transition to a circular and low-carbon economy. Together with the port community, customers and other partners, Port of Antwerp-Bruges is actively seeking innovative solutions for a sustainable future. High on the agenda is its responsibility for the environment and the surrounding society. 

The port sites of Antwerp and Zeebrugge are operated by the Antwerp-Bruges Port Authority, a limited liability company of public law with the City of Antwerp and the City of Bruges as its shareholders. The port employs 1,800 people. Vice-Mayor of Antwerp Annick De Ridder is President of the Board of Directors, the Mayor of Bruges Dirk De fauw is the Vice-President. Jacques Vandermeiren is CEO and President of the Executive Committee, which is responsible for the port’s day-to-day management. 

www.portofantwerpbruges.com

The telephone number +32 492 15 41 39 is only for press inquiries. For other questions you can mail to communicatie@portofantwerpbruges.com

Contact

Havenhuis Zaha Hadidplein 1 2030 Antwerp Belgium

+32 492 15 41 39

press@portofantwerpbruges.com

www.portofantwerpbruges.com