The Port of Antwerp has this week highlighted its importance to France as a logistical trading partner by hosting a Port Day in Strasbourg on 22 March – the location of the main inland waterway port in the region where the majority of cargo arriving from or heading to Antwerp is handled.
Of the 8.4m containers handled at Antwerp during 2010, some 500,000 represented trade between France and the Belgian port, with one-third of those container volumes handled for the Alsace region.
According to the Antwerp Port Authority, much of the success of this trade is down to the fact that Antwerp is the only trimodal port in northwest Europe, therefore offering efficient hinterland connections with the Alsace region.
While French president Nicolas Sarkozy pointed out in the wake of recent strikes that he was unhappy that 'Antwerp has become the largest French port', Antwerp Port Authority CEO Marc Van Peel looked to the positives.
'The fact remains, however, that the importance of Antwerp as the largest port for France cannot be overemphasised,' he noted. 'And in the meantime our future looks very promising.
'The Port of Antwerp is ready for the future,' Mr Van Peel added. 'The good relations and cooperation with the private companies in the port ensures an excellent investment climate. We hope that Antwerp will continue to be the number one French port for a long time to come.'
