The document consists of 30 main points spread across six fields of activity. Goal number one is to increase the shipping traffic to Flanders. One way to do that will be to create added-value projects in the hinterland. Antwerp and Zeebrugge will work together to attract a greater share of the growing traffic from Asia to Northern Europe; Zeebrugge and Ostend will work to promote cruise traffic; and all four ports will combine their efforts to promote and market Flanders abroad, for example at trade fairs and on international missions. Minister Crevits will undertake an international mission later this year to promote the new Flanders Port Area.

The ultimate goal is nothing short of turning Flanders into a logistical portal to the rest of Europe. “Everyone has committed to raising Flanders to the top of Europe by 2020,” said Crevits. “Targeted co-operation is important not only for the four ports, but also for the welfare of all of Flanders.” The third edition of Flemish Port Day, she announced, will be held on 22 September.

“As the second-largest port in Europe, Antwerp is happy to join with the other Flemish ports to lay the foundations which will put Flanders on the top in Europe in 2020,” commented Antwerp port authority president Eddy Bruyninckx. “But let’s not forget that we can only achieve results if we pay attention to our customers. The point of co-operation is to increase the returns of all the ports involved.”

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