Ports of Antwerp and Liege sign agreement to boost inland connections

Ports of Antwerp and Liege sign agreement to boost inland connections


The Ports of Antwerp and Liege have signed an agreement aiming to boost multimodal inland connections between them.

Rail freight has a pivotal role in their plans to enhance connectivity and better cargo distribution. However, as the Port of Antwerp mentioned, there is a strong possibility that the ports’ rail connections would not restrict only within Belgium. Specifically, plans include an extension of the rail link between China and Liege to Antwerp.

The two port’s focal point is to enhance their connectivity on the Albert canal axis. Be it by rail or vessels, their main prerequisite is to shift as much cargo as possible from Belgium’s congested roads. The agreement was signed by Jacques Vandermeiren, CEO of the port of Antwerp, Willy Demeyer, president of the autonomous port of Liege and Emile-Louis Bertrand, director-general of the autonomous port of Liege. The pact will last for three years, until 2024.

Rail freight connections constitute one of the central pillars for the cooperation of the two parties. As the Port of Antwerp emphasised: “Anchoring links between the port of Antwerp and its hinterland is essential. Optimising connections to a logistics hub such as Liege is a decisive factor for our success.”

In this sense, the two ports also want to optimise the utilisation of terminals along the Albert Canal axis. For this to happen, rail freight will need to play a prominent role and help the two ports set up a supply chain with as few obstacles as possible.

For more information visit www.portofantwerp.com

19th July 2021