Port of Antwerp-Bruges hosts the largest integrated petrochemical cluster in Europe. Together with the ARRRA region – Antwerp, Rotterdam, Rhine and Ruhr – this area accounts for 40% of European industry. What is under pressure here is under pressure across Europe.
Europe is losing industrial strength
In recent years, major industrial players such as BASF, ExxonMobil, TotalEnergies and Envalior have had to scale back their activities. At the same time, strategic investments have been withdrawn, such as that of Vioneo. These are not isolated cases, but clear warning signals that the European investment climate for industry is structurally deteriorating.
High energy and carbon costs, lengthy and uncertain permitting procedures, and an uneven playing field compared to imports from regions with lower standards are putting even innovative and clean projects under pressure. As a result, Europe is already losing industry, jobs and momentum in the climate transition.
Competitiveness as a guiding principle
Following the Antwerp Declaration and the Clean Industrial Deal, Port of Antwerp-Bruges now also endorses the Antwerp Call to Alden Biesen, where the European summit will take place tomorrow. Europe must now take action: swift, concrete and coordinated measures within the framework of the Clean Industrial Deal, including competitive energy prices, protection against carbon leakage, fairtrade conditions and accelerated decision-making.
We call upon policymakers to set clear priorities and to apply one guiding principle when developing new initiatives: strengthening the competitiveness of EU industry. In this context, the chemical sector deserves explicit recognition as the “industry of industries” — the foundation of Europe’s value chains and a cornerstone of its economic resilience and strategic autonomy.
In this context, we appreciate the support of the Flemish and federal governments and of Prime Minister Bart De Wever, who, as a member of the Board of Directors of Port of Antwerp-Bruges, helps defend the strategic importance of our port and industry. Antwerp must not be a symbolic moment, but the starting point for concrete decisions that restore perspective for European industry, with tangible impact as of 2026.
Jacques Vandermeiren, CEO Port of Antwerp-Bruges: “We have moved beyond the phase of warnings. This is the moment of truth. If Europe fails to take concrete and immediate measures, we risk continuing to lose our industrial base in slow motion. Words do not pay bills, nor do they build a business case. Today, we are no longer competing between ports, but with China and other regions of the world where energy is cheaper, permits are granted faster and investments are actively supported. The European Industry Summit in Antwerp must not be a symbolic moment, but the starting point for tangible decisions that will already have a visible impact on our industry in 2026. A strong and resilient Europe can only exist thanks to a strong European industry.
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Johan Klaps, Vice Mayor for the Port and Economy City of Antwerp / President Port of Antwerp-Bruges: “The European Industry Summit in Antwerp must be a moment of action, not reflection. The time to act is now. We need to define clear top priorities and take immediate decisions where they matter most. High energy prices and lengthy permitting procedures have seriously undermined Europe’s competitiveness, putting investments and jobs at risk. If we want to safeguard our industry and our prosperity, we must restore the right conditions for companies to compete and grow in Europe, starting today.
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