MUMBAI : Mr. Luc Arnouts, Vice President - International Relations of the Port of Antwerp, together with a high-level delegation of the Port is on a visit to 3 important regions in India - Mumbai – Pune – Delhi – where they are meeting with trade partners and associations to exchange ideas on the situation and evolution of maritime business.
“It is with extreme joy that Port of Antwerp is once again in India after more than two years of restrictions on travelling. We are happy to bring to our long standing Indian partners and friends the exciting scoop of the merger between the Port of Antwerp and the Port of Zeebrugge. The merger is being finalized as we speak,”
Mr. Luc Arnouts said in Mumbai at its Annual Reception held on 22nd April 2022.
The merger will reinforce the position of both ports within the global supply chain and will ensure the sustainable growth and robust financial position of each.
The unified Port of Antwerp – Bruges will be more resilient to face the challenges of the future and will take a leading role in the transition towards a low-carbon economy.
India an important trade partner for Port of Antwerp-Bruges
India is a very important trade partner for the Port of Antwerp. With an overall volume of 7.4 million tonnes India is ranked on the 6th place . In order to further stimulate and smoothen supply chains between India and Europe, we are currently in the process of developing an acceleration programme with partners from both continents. All exporters and importers active in the trade between India and Europe, can take part. The programme provides advice and hands-on logistics solutions for all commodities.
Port of Antwerp-Bruges' central location in the heart of Europe makes it possible to serve a huge consumer market very quickly. Its regular maritime connections with India and trimodal hinterland connections to the whole of Europe, help Indian companies in positioning themselves and their products in the European market.
H.E. Mr François DELHAYE, Ambassador of Belgium in India: “ It is impossible to discuss India-EU trade relations and not talk about the Port of Antwerp, Europe's largest container port. It is India's gateway to Europe, connecting India to the rest of the European Union through Belgium's dense transportation network. Through their permanent office in Mumbai and the JNPT- APEC training center, the Port of Antwerp has also been involved in port development in India since 2006. Their story is therefore not limited to trade alone. It is one of a partnership aimed at elevating each other and creating mutual opportunities. The COVID pandemic of course disrupted many of these joint activities, just like it impacted our trade relations. That is why I'm particularly delighted with this new high level visit from the Port of Antwerp. I am sure it will help to reinforce and strengthen our trade and economic relations with India.”
Mr. Pierre-Emmanuel BRUSSELMANS,
Consul General of Belgium in Mumbai : Antwerp Port plays
a major role in Trade partnership between India and Europe. Automobile and Chemical sector plays a vital role in our trade relations but the time has now come for this relations to touch other sectors as well. India and Belgium are natural partners which shares common relation of democracy following the rule of law. As India celebrates 75th Year of Independence,
we (Belgium) have successfully completed 75 Years of our Diplomatic relations with India.
Mr. Shashi Kiran Shetty, Chairman, Allcargo Logistics, ECU Worldwide and Gati Ltd : Antwerp Port plays the important role of being a major trade hub in Europe and shares an important relation with India.
I am personally very happy to see my friends from Antwerp after a span of two years.
In Maritime and Logistics sector, a lot has happened over past two years due to covid pandemic which made us quite nervous initially but we are seeing a significant bounce back now. In fact the whole industry has revived. Going forward technological disruption pose lot of challenges but are also loaded with plethora of opportunities. However, in International Freight Forwarding, we will require a combination of both i.e. Technology plus the Foot on Grounds to succeed.
As far as India is concerned, it is very attractive place to do business and is in a very Sweet Spot from long term perspective owing to Stability of Government and its pro-active business policies, business positivity and confidence, favourable demography, a large spend on Infrastructure project to just name a few. Further we are almost equidistance from the US and Russia which makes us the most suitable bride in the World.
APEC inks MoU with GMU
During the Annual Reception held in Mumbai on 22nd April, Gujarat Maritime University (GMU) inked anMoU with APEC (Antwerp/Flanders Port Training Center) to enhance co-operation and share vital experience between each other.
Mr. Sharad Sarangadharan, Head - Business Development (Gujarat Maritime Board), Executive Director (GMU) & Member Secretary – Gujarat Maritime Cluster exchanged the MoU with Mr. Krist of Waterschoot, Managing Director – APEC.
The Port of Antwerp held its first Annual Reception this year in India after a span of two years under the aegis of its Indian Representative Mr. Daljit Singh Kohli.
