Tag: Belgium

The European Commission has decided that reductions in compensation payments granted by the Port of Antwerp to two container terminal operators, were awarded on market terms. For this reason they do not involve State aid within the meaning of EU rules.

Ro/Ro traffic between Sweden and the continent are increasing, as volumes between Gothenburg and Belgium have risen for the ninth consecutive year. Namely, the forecast for 2018 expects a 10% increase for Ro/Ro units. An even further expansion of the service structure took place during the autumn, with the shipping companies linking up Spanish, Greek and Turkish ports to the growing European network.

Belgium's plans to support three offshore wind farm projects are in line with EU State aid rules, the European Commission announced, noting that the measure will further EU energy and climate goals without unduly distorting competition in the Single Market.

North Sea Port wants to improve the trade relations with Canada, focusing on bulk cargo and foodstuffs. From its part, the port of Quebec wants to develop its position in the region as a supply and removal port for bulk goods. Moreover, Quebec explores the possibilities for cars and containers. 

The NGO Transport & Environment released a ranking in which it presents the best and worst performing countries in Europe's attempt to reduce GHG emissions. Germany, Belgium and France are the top performers, while Greece, Cyprus, Italy, Portugal and Croatia are the worst.

A signing ceremony took place, between COSCO and the Port of Zeebrugge, in Brussels, for the concession terms of Zeebrugge Terminal. During the event a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the COSCO and CMA CGM Group, for CMA’s initial investment of 10% in CSP Zeebrugge.

Zeeland Seaports and Ghent Port Company signed a merger agreement on Friday 8 December, as all stakeholders agreed with the merger. The name of the cross-border merger port will be North Sea Port. The signing took place on a ship that symbolically sailed from Ghent across the Dutch border in the direction of Terneuzen.

A new capacity-building partnership was signed on 30 of November, at IMO Headquarters, between Belgium, the Solomon Islands and IMO, aiming to strengthen the maritime capacity of the Solomon Islands.

The European Commission announced the prolongation until end 2022 of various Belgian support measures for maritime transport. The decision was made after an approval granted by the European Commission under EU State aid rules.

The European Commission has required Belgium and France to abolish the corporate tax exemptions granted to their ports, so as to align their tax regime with EU state aid rules, to avoid distortions of competition.