Wedding of Antwerp and Zeebrugge definite?
The ongoing exchange of a closer cooperation of the two European port authorities of Antwerp and Zeebrugge in Belgium has entered its next phase. The ports officials said they have now given the green light for merger negotiations, expected to come to a close by the end of 2021.
Other solutions seem to be of little value, as a study report conducted by Deloitte and Laga pointed out. Their analysis clearly stated that the current intensified cooperation between the two ports showed little impact - due to existing competition with each other, limited scope and little compromise. However, since both ports are very complementary and share the same external challenges, a far-reaching cooperation would strengthen both ports in certain fields of activities and give them a more important role in the region as well as internationally.
What may be of even greater importance is that the clientele of both ports is also positive about an enhanced cooperation model. Deloitte concludes that cooperation only generates a win-win situation for both ports if it is used for a far-reaching integration between the two port administrations. Annick De Ridder, the port of Antwerp alderman, commented that “together, we can turn Antwerp and Zeebrugge into the port of the future faster and more effectively by focusing on domains such as energy transition, innovation and digitalisation." (fd)