MUMBAI: The Port Authority of Antwerp organized a get-together to celebrate the success journey of India, Port of Antwerp relationship.
On this gracious occasion, to make this evening memorable, “Port of Antwerp, the foreign port that pioneered the practice of opening up offices in India to serve its trading partners and Association of Multimodal Transport Operators of India (AMTOI) have joined hands to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to facilitate collaboration between the multitude of logistics companies operating in India, Belgium and Europe at large on February 8 (Wednesday) at a reception hosted by the Port of Antwerp, in Mumbai.
Addressing the gathering, Mr. Raj Khalid, the Representative of Antwerp Port in India said, "This is a unique and first in the world concept that a port is executing”. "As a major port in the world we would like to provide service to our customers in India as well as companies in Antwerp on a constant basis. We want to be an active land lord port and want to bring in new and better ways of providing quality service to our partners”.
To throw more light on India, AMTOI & Antwerp partnership Mr. Raj Khalid welcomed Mr. Marc Van Peel, Chairman of the Port Authority of Antwerp.
Mr. Marc Van Peel said, “Port of Antwerp is a tradition”, which I have continued by visiting Mumbai for the second time. One question that everybody has asked me for the evening is that nowadays Port of Antwerp is flooded all over the newspaper. So we have to make one thing clear that “The Port Authority of Antwerp is here for promoting and bonding relation between Antwerp and India, to facilitate logistics in India, Belgium and Europe at large, to continue with logistics decision for next generation”.
This is also envisaged to be called India Natie. Natie means "Nation" in Flemish language. The proposed name-India Natie, has been derived by referring to the well known "Naties" in the Antwerp Port, being logistic companies in the port, specialized in handling, storing, forwarding and transporting goods.
India Natie will exactly address to the members of the trade in both the countries in finding the right partner, to pursue opportunities of collaboration, expansion or simply to handle cargo and also access to port infrastructure in Antwerp. The MOU signed between both parties is expected to bring together Indian exporters, logistics companies and shippers with Antwerp based companies, the Port Authority and purchasers in Europe; and vice versa (exporters from Europe to India).
On this occasion, Mr. Marc took the opportunity and thanked Consulate General of Belgium for his enormous support and also congratulated Customs for their continuous support for solving both the economic issues of Antwerp and India.
He also thanked Mr. Raj Khalid for believing and supporting us to achieve our ambitious dream to be a major player in India. He further added, along with me who has strived hard to achieve this vision is Mr Eddy Bruyninckx CEO of Antwerp. Mr. Eddy is a highly respected person in Belgium community. He has been with Antwerp as CEO for over 20 years.
Mr. Eddy Bruyninckx, addressing the function said,”I am highly privileged person for this evening to be praised by Mr. Marc on continuing the tradition of Antwerp in India”.
In addition, I would like to thank the dynamic companies of Indian Port and logistic sector for the special honour and support provided to Port of Antwerp which help us to achieve our vision to promote and develop port projects in India. We are fighting for this from last 20 years and we feel ensured that Port Authority of Antwerp will strive hard to satisfy India in all sectors as possible.
Talking about the future prospects, Mr. Eddy added, “In the coming days, the biggest container Maersk vessel will call Antwerp Port directly from India”.
Further, “Our mission is to introduce and attract new cargo, to attract value added services for Indian Ports Sector. We are also lined up with 72 hectares of land to attract new business”. Maintaining that, he said, “Handling over 180 million tonnes of cargo every year, the Port of Antwerp is unique and the second largest port in Europe and the fifth largest in the world. The Port of Antwerp not only offers state-of-the-art handling facilities for every kind of cargo from containers to breakbulk, ro-ro and project cargo. Its full range of specialized, value added logistics services from warehousing, packaging, processing, finishing distribution and forwarding ensures Antwerp occupies pride of place, whatever your destination in Europe”.
“The Port Authority makes continuous investments aimed at further reinforcing growth in container handling, while creating additional space for storage, logistics and industrial activities. Offering the latest in state-of-the-art infrastructure, a wide choice of quays, handlers and stevedores and a revolutionary tidal dock, the Port of Antwerp continues to cement its position as an important turning plate in the chain of international trade. We also create employment facilities for the students in Europe”, maintains Mr. Eddy, adding, The Port Authority is also planning to create more new ports of connectivity between India and Europe.
“Antwerp Port wanted to strengthen its position as the number one Indian Port in Europe by doubling cargo handling flow from the current
5 million tonnes per annum to 10 million tonnes in coming next 4 to 5 years”. We want to offer regular services. We want to attract investments”, added Mr. Eddy. With the signing of the MOU, Industry partners from Antwerp and India will, amongst other things, exchange information through the digital platform 'India Natie', and will in the near future work together more closely in the area of multi-modal transport. Through the cooperation, Indian carriers and shippers will in the future be able to forward goods from and to the European hinterland more easily through the Port of Antwerp. He then invited Mr. Tushar Jani to say few words on Antwerp, AMTOI partnership.
Mr. Tushar Jani said, Mr. Marc, Deputy Mayor for the city of Antwerp plays a major role similarly like how our Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra or India acts. He thanked the Chairman of Antwerp for his kind support towards AMTOI and visiting India for this special occasion. Further about the MOU, “India Natie is expected to offer a stable platform on a continuous basis, backed by the Port of Antwerp and AMTOI, thereby ensuring identification of the right partners, access to legal advice, access to relevant government bodies in India and Belgium, and also access to port infrastructure in Antwerp whenever required”.
Mr. Jani welcoming the young hardworking magnificent President of the Association Mr. Anand Sheth, said that, his focussed vision has made AMTOI come closer and sign an MOU with Port of Antwerp.
“AMTOI believes that such a virtual platform would help its members and other logistics companies like forwarders, Customs House Agents link with Antwerp-based logistics companies in providing services to the exim trade," said Anand Sheth.
He added: "The platform will also bring together Indian exporters and importers with Antwerp and in turn Europe-based companies to enhance exim business. AMTOI's members and other logistics companies will be able to communicate easily and establish new contacts with multimodal operators and logistics companies as well as be able to get real time information and responses."
Exim trade between Antwerp Port and India hovers around 5 million tonnes and another 1 million tonnes through transshipment via Colombo and Salallah.
"Going forward," Mr Sheth added, "I would help to set up a common warehouse at Antwerp port for the use of AMTOI’s members and others for distribution of Indian products within Europe.
AMTOI is home to Multimodal Transport Operators registered with the Directorate General of Shipping. It also has some associate members like CFS operators, tank container operators, etc. The members believe that electronic exchange will give a boost to trading business between Antwerp and Indian ports, as it will make it easier and transparent on a real time basis.
AMTOI is believed to working out the details of rolling out the service, which will be its value added offering to its members, albeit at a nominal cost. Once operational, the electronic exchange would give the 170-odd members of the association another innovative way to conduct business that would be faster, transparent, fair and hassle-free.
Maintaining that, Mr. Sheth, said “We believe in collective strength”. Then he thanked Mr. Raj Khalid, the Representative of Antwerp Port in India for inking to approach Antwerp and also playing an important role between Port Authority of Antwerp and AMTOI.
On behalf of AMTOI, Mr. Tushar Jani presented the memento to Mr. Marc Van Peel, Chairman & Mr Eddy Bruyninckx, CEO Port of Antwerp. Along with him he also presented the memento to Mr. Raj Khalid for his enormous support.
“This whole business in India is fragmented. The leading player in the country on this segment have got a share of less than 2%. A platform of this kind could help being consolidation in the industry," observed Mr Khalid.
Establishing a tradition in Mumbai in Rooftop we also need good symbol to show the co-operation between Europe and India, avers Mr. Marc. On this auspicious occasion, on behalf of Port Authority of Antwerp I would like to give an award which meant to people doing excellent work gratitude from Antwerp & India.
An outstanding appreciation was given to Transcon Logistics receiving certification in Belgium as a freight forwarding company. Mr. R. K. Rubin of Transcon Logistics, who is also the Honorary Secretary of AMTOI, thanked key facilitators at the Port who made it possible.
The MOU was signed under the presence of top dignitaries of Shipping and Logistics fraternity they are Mr. Rajeev Gupta, Chairman of MbPT, Mr. Nailesh Gandhi, BCHAA President, Antwerp Port Representatives, the Consul General of Belgium in Mumbai, the Belgian Customs Attache at the Embassy in New Delhi, and a large section of the trade.
The MOU was signed under the presence of top dignitaries of Shipping and Logistics fraternity they are Mr. Rajeev Gupta, Chairman of MbPT, Mr. Nailesh Gandhi, BCHAA President, Antwerp Port Representatives, the Consul General of Belgium in Mumbai, the Belgian Customs Attache at the Embassy in New Delhi, and a large section of the trade.
