Port of Zeebrugge "Zij aan zij" (Side by side) with its environment

Today the Port Authority of Zeebrugge organized a press moment dedicated to the new environmental communication campaign "zij aan zij” (side by side). With this initiative, the port of Zeebrugge wants to actively cooperate with its neighbors and go "side by side into the sea" for the development of new projects in the future. Earlier this year, the port authority in cooperation with the Federal Judicial Police (FGP) West Flanders and the Federal Shipping Police (SPN) launched the online reporting point ikmeld (https://havenzeebrugge.ikmeld.be/ ), on which visitors and residents can report suspicious situations, complaints, and questions at any time. ​ 

"Zij aan zij” (side by side) with Jan & alleman ​ 

Our environmental communication aims to actively involve residents in the activities of the port. The online reporting point ikmeld is seen as the first important initiative to guarantee everyone's safety and avoid illegal practices in the port sector. On this digital platform, residents and visitors can describe strange situations, questions, and complaints at all times (anonymously). Each report is then treated seriously and accurately by the (port) security services. Working "zij aan zij" (side by side) is therefore the message! ​ ​ 

Dirk De fauw, chairman of the Board of Directors of the Port of Zeebrugge and Mayor of Bruges: "An active communication campaign towards the Zeebrugge area is of great importance and benefits everyone. A transparent exchange of thoughts between the port authority of Zeebrugge and the people around the port will certainly provide new interesting insights to guarantee, respect, and (hopefully) even improve everyone's well-being. The ikmeld reporting point certainly has a striking influence on the general security, but the development of other initiatives also requires the participation of the Zeebrugge residents. Not only do the port and its environment go “zij aan zij in zee” (go into business side by side), but they also put “zij aan zij” (side by side) the development of new projects on point." 

Tom Hautekiet, CEO Port of Zeebrugge: "The residents, employees, and visitors of the port are crucial for the (further) elaboration of infrastructural and sustainable initiatives in the near and distant future. Through a dynamic environment communication campaign, we, therefore, want to actively cooperate with the people in and around our port and give them a strong and equal voice in this story. The launch of the ikmeld reporting point is the first important step towards guaranteeing optimal safety in and around the port area. Only when the port and its environment 'join forces' can new projects be set up that benefit everyone." 

Kurt Desoete, judicial director of Federal Judicial Police (FGP) West Flanders: "The digital hotline offers the possibility of reporting suspicious situations directly to the police. This is a new source of information for us. We are always looking for info on organized crime. In the vicinity of the port, indications of smuggling and trafficking of human beings, drug import, or other criminal phenomena can attract the attention of residents, passers-by, entrepreneurs, or employees. On the website of the Reporting Centre, we indicate which information is important for us to start up an investigation or to enrich an existing file. Reporting can also be done anonymously. The FGP is responsible for an initial analysis of the reports. Relevant information is captured in the databases and is thus available to all police services. The Shipping Police (SPN) and the local police zones around the port are obvious partners in this. The fact that the port environment can offer an extra pair of ears and eyes for the police services through this reporting point is invaluable to us. "Side by side” we work towards a safer society. The first reports are already being processed."