Port of Antwerp is a central hub for Russian trade and industry
The roadshow of the Port of Antwerp through Russia – from Moscow to Saint Petersburg – has successfully ended, the Port's press center says. Thanks to a wide range of short sea and feeder connections, the Port of Antwerp is well connected to Russia and sees great potential in the Russian market.
In order to consolidate the existing and to enhance new business relationships between Antwerp and the Russian market, the port conducted a roadshow from Moscow to Saint Petersburg from 15 to 20 November 2015. The delegation from Antwerp visiting Russia during the roadshow counted 30 members from 20 different companies including forwarders, terminal operators as well as shipping agents. The delegation’s aim was to raise brand awareness and create network opportunities. Further objectives were to inform the local industry about services in Antwerp and to strengthen the network with policy-making partners. During the roadshow, the port invited to seminars in the Residence of the Ambassador of Belgium in Moscow and in the Commandant’s House in the Peter & Paul Fortress in Saint Petersburg. 50 participants joined in Moscow, 220 in Saint Petersburg.
In 2015, the traffic between Russia and the Port of Antwerp has been growing in almost all categories. Between Antwerp and Russia, 9,718,154 tons have been handled in the first nine months of this year. This corresponds to a growth of 3.7 percent compared to the same period last year. Antwerp has built up many years of expertise in handling chemicals, steel and project cargo from Russia while also offering a wide range of added value services such as packaging and consolidation management.
“Our roadshow through Russia was very successful and I am satisfied with what we have achieved during this past week. The interest shown during these last days was truly incredible. The Port of Antwerp is a consolidation hub for worldwide shipments and a traditional partner of the steel and chemical sector in Russia,” said Marc Van Peel, Chairman of the Antwerp Port Authority and Vice-Mayor of the City of Antwerp.
The following examples underline the strong business connection between Antwerp and Russia:
Wijngaard Natie for instance, a Belgium Company which specializes in shipping, storing and distributing foodstuffs and other temperature sensitive cargoes, has been part of the delegation. Dirk Mondelaers, General Manager at Wijngaard Natie, said: “This roadshow is an ideal way for Wijngaard Natie to explain and promote the company’s strategies to potential and existing customers. Offering reliable solutions for Russian cargo to and from Europe, namely in the sectors of iron, steel and chemicals, is one of Wijngaard Naties’ strengths.”
Yvan Vlaminckx, managing director at Fast Lines Belgium, was also part of the delegation. Fast Lines is a transport company with its headquarters in Antwerp and seven other branch offices in Europe, which offers complete logistics solutions for shipping goods. He said: “As a shipping line, we strongly focus on transshipment of breakbulk cargo from and to the Port of Antwerp with our short sea vessels. The Baltic Sea, and specifically Saint Petersburg and Kaliningrad, are very important in this transshipment story. Therefore, it is as a small niche player useful to get introduced to the Russian market by means of this Antwerp Port presentation, call it a door opener, rather than to do everything ourselves. The connectivity of Antwerp with more than 1,400 ports in the world is a strong sales advantage for Fast Lines to ship cargoes from and to Russia.”
