Nothing stands in the way of ‘Port of Antwerp Bruges’: “It must become the energy gateway to Europe” (Antwerp)
On Wednesday, the Flemish Parliament approved the merger decree for the ports of Antwerp and Zeebrugge. nothing stands in the way of a merger between the two largest ports. The merger decree was approved almost unanimously. Only the opposition party PVDA voted against.
Thanks to the decree, in full ‘the proposal for a decree to reform the management of the port areas of Antwerp and Bruges-Zeebrugge’, the merger, announced in February 2021, is now in the final straight line. The collaboration should be finalized on April 22. From then on, the ports will continue under the name Port of Antwerp Bruges.
The merger of the two ports should promote competitiveness. ‘Port of Antwerp-Bruges’ will be the most important container port and the largest for transhipment of vehicles in Europe and one of the largest breakbulk ports. Thanks to the location of Zeebrugge and the industrial cluster in Antwerp, it will become a European leader for hydrogen.
“Historic moment”
Annick De Ridder, in addition to the Flemish Member of Parliament also port alderman and chairman of the board of directors at Port of Antwerp, speaks of a historic moment. “This decree means that we can also turn the Port of Antwerp-Bruges into the energy gateway to Europe. Together, both ports are writing an ambitious story of sustainable growth on both platforms.”
Mercedes Van Volcem (Open Vld) also talks about a “historic day” and Orry Van de Wauwer (CD&V) the possibilities that the merger offers. Opposition parties Vooruit, Groen and Vlaams Belang also support the merger. Only the opposition party PVDA voted against.
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