Port of Antwerp is making efforts to become the sustainable port of the future. This is the message of the fifth Sustainability Report, which states that development of the port must go hand-in-hand with the largest possible contribution to society.
Freight handling
2018 marked an excellent year for Port of Antwerp, as it reported an overall maritime freight volume of 235.2 million tonnes. This is an increase of 5.1% compared to the previous period and the sixth record year in a row. Industrial investments in the port also grew.
Commenting on this, Port of Antwerp CEO, Jacques Vandermeiren, said that:
The positive aspect is that we are managing to stop our ecological footprint from getting bigger, despite larger freight volumes and higher industrial output. NOx and SO2 have declined further, our energy consumption is down and the number of green energy production units is growing steadily
Circular economy and digitisation
The port has pursued innovation in order to address the challenges posed by climate change. Namely, by introducing Ecluse, a steam heating network for industry, it provides 5% of total Flemish production of environment-friendly heating and saves CO2 emissions of 100,000 tonnes per year.
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In addition, onshore power supplies for ships at berth also contribute to reducing emissions within the port area. In fact, since 2016 around 40 onshore powerpoints have been installed on quays for tugboats, barges and river cruise boats.
Specifically, in a first demonstration round for Carbon Capture & Utilisation (CCU) various companies are joining forces to investigate the possibilities for environment-friendly production of methane from CO2.
The port also focuses on digital transition projects, in order to leverage more sustainable logistics, and remain competitive worldwide.
A port for people
In the report, the port informed that it gives great importance to respectful dialogue with local residents, with various channels of participation to let their voices be heard in projects that are liable to have a large impact.
Future challenges
Despite the fact that the port still makes progress in sustainability, freight volume and industrial output, more efforts are still necessary.
To maintain our economic leadership position it is vital to keep the port accessible. And for ecological reasons too, we must tackle the problem of mobility. In particular, achieving a modal shift from road to transport by barge and rail is a priority for the near future
stated Peter Van de Putte, manager of the Left Bank Development Corporation.
Now, the biggest challenge is the transition to renewable energy sources and a circular economy, by launching innovative technologies. Alternative fuels are already being made available, but the supply has not expanded yet.
LNG might be a temporary solution, but the port believes that there is better potential in methanol and hydrogen. Thus, in 2021, an operational testing ground aims to encourage the development of new technologies and upscale them in the port of Antwerp.
You may see more details in the following PDF
