COSCO SHIPPING Ports, announced that a signing ceremony took place, between COSCO and the Port of Zeebrugge, in Brussels, regarding the concession terms of CSP Zeebrugge Terminal (CSP Zeebrugge).
During the event a Memorandum of Understanding (“MoU”) was signed between the COSCO and CMA CGM Group (CMA), for CMA’s initial investment of 10% in CSP Zeebrugge.
H.E. Kris Peeters, Vice Prime Minister and Minister for Work, Economic Affairs and Consumer Affairs, responsible for Foreign Trade, said: “COSCO SHIPPING’s decision once again proves that, with its open economy and central position in Europe, Belgium is the ideal place for logistic investments. During the first nine months of 2017, our exports to China increased by 20 percent, reaching 6 billion Euros. China is getting more significant as a trading partner. Last year’s opening of a direct train connection between the port and the city of Daqing in China already testified to this fact.”
The signing ceremony for the concession terms of the Zeebrugge Terminal between Cosco and Port of Zeebrugge was signed by Mr. Zhang Wei and Mr. Renaat Landuyt. The MoU between CSP and CMA was signed by Mr. Zhang Wei and Mr. Farid T. Salem.
“The launch of Belt and Road initiative between China and Belgium in 2014 has laid a solid foundation for today’s signing ceremony. Port of Zeebrugge is farsighted in partnering with China; it’s a pioneer by making a series of decisive moves and has achieved noticeable results. China-Belgium trade is bilateral, not unilateral. The cooperation between China and Belgium is win-win. By actively exploring cooperation opportunities with China, Zeebrugge port has gained importance in international sea freight market, especially Northwest European routes,” H.E. Qu Xing, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to the Kingdom of Belgium stated.
Lastly, Joachim Coens, Managing Director of Port of Zeebrugge, said that Zeebrugge port can accomodate mega-vessels and is ready for a new chapter, in order to improve its services.
