The year 2015 was a year of records for the Port of Antwerp; for the first time in its history, it has surpassed the 200 million tons of cargo. A record in which Africa has played an important role : more than 12% of total traffic was for the « black continent »; more than Chinese traffic!
Belgium is a crossroads in Europe. European and international companies, international authorities and European institutions are the actors that shape the economy of the coutry. The Port of Antwerp also contributes to forging that identity of crossroads through the maritime activities.
Considered through History and strategically, Antwerp is centrally located on the trade routes of ships. It is therefore a real hub both for European companies wishing to join Africa as for the North American companies that stop there. Consequently, the Port acquired a natural and structural power that continues to rise.
Since last year, a new historical record has been broken in the Belgian port : more than 200 million tons transported, an increase of 4.2% compared to 2015. A growth that the municipality owned company Port of Antwerp wishes to continue to support through various intitiatives, including the “Club Afrique”which brings together more than 140 actors of the Belgian-African maritime world.
According to the alderman Marc Van Peel, head of the Port, Trade and Industry at the municipality, “We (Antwerp) are now the second largest port in Europe after Amsterdam but we must continue to support the growth through initiatives such as the ‘Club Afrique which aims to bring together actors who make maritime trade with Africa, in order to strengthen and support the established network. “
A statistical data is very surprising : bulk traffic, which represents only 10% of total traffic, represents 40% of the entire workforce in Antwerp. A figure rather gratifying for employment and that is a consequence, among others, of the sliding of the Amsterdam cocoa traffic to Antwerp.
According to Marc Van Peel, “Antwerp has become a real point of connection between the different continents; hub to Africa for the countries of northern Europe but also for Quebec and America, “
The role of the Port of Antwerp goes further because today, it has a knowledge that is envied by many foreign players. Since 1977, the Antwerp / Flanders Port Training Center has organized training in all specialties that concern port activities; more than 14,000 people from 150 countries took part in its training programs.
Due to the rapid economic growth in some regions, the subsidiary « Port of Antwerps International » was established in 2010. Its mission is to help these regions in the optimization of their infrastructure, port operations and management through an intensive partnership. Through these international collaborations, the Port of Antwerp has seen its international network extend, in particular to San Pedro in Ivory Coast. The world’s biggest cocoa port has signed a collaboration agreement in 2011 with PAI. The Congolese port of Matadi also benefits from the know-how of Antwerp to optimize its management skills and its growth.
The Port of Antwerp through the different regional realities
Among the 12.11% (of the African turnover of the port of Antwerp), a country makes the difference compared to all the others: Togo. By itself, it displays an impressive economic growth : it goes from 1.44% in 2013 to over 2.5% in 2015. Last year, Togo has loaded more than 5 million tons. According to The Observatory of Economic Complexity, 49% of Togo’s import depend on oil whereas the country exports mainly gold and cement. For over three years, until the end of 2014 the number of goods from Africa has increased linearly at the rate of one percent per year. The situation stabilized in 2015 and is the same as in 2014.
How about Cocoa?
Europeans are found of chocolate. From the point of view of import of chocolate, on the top 10 countries, six are European. The Netherlands are the first with more than 18 million tons of imported chocolate each year, followed by Germany and Belgium respectively with 2.165.000 million and 1.670 000 million tons.
Again, the increase of the demand for cocoa brings big profit to the exporters. The two biggest producers are Ivory Coast and Ghana, with more than 19 million and 4 million tons each. The agreements signed between the IPA and the Port of San Pedro ensure excellent collaboration and a guaranteed future.
Competition remains fierce between the European ports and the Port of Antwerp has decided to take the bull by the horns by launching an initiative that aims to support the actors involved in maritime traffic to Africa : Club Afric.
The “Club Afric”, the place to be!
For over two years now, a “Club Afric” has been organized every year. The Port of Antwerp wanted to focus on the future by creating this club which aims to develop trade relations between the Port of Antwerp and the African continent.
The first club meeting was attended by 90 members. For its second edition, 140 members had come, making this appointment a must for the shipping industry dealing with Africa. Business and official delegations meet, discuss and establish links that can lead to significant investments. Among the guests, there was also a delegation from the Port of Montreal and the director of the port of Sand Pedro (Ivory Coast), who presented the project of expansion of the Ivorian port.
The next “Club Afrique” will be held on Tuesday, September 27, 2016. An appointment not to be missed!
