The Port of Antwerp-Bruges and PSA Antwerp in Belgium have given the go-ahead for a range of works to begin at the Europa Terminal’s quayside and terminal to ensure sustainable growth for the future.
The construction work, which will cost an estimated €335m (US$324.5m), will be carried out in three phases over a nine-year period and will include an array of renovations to ensure the terminal is sustainable and contributes to the transition toward a climate-neutral port. Works will also ensure the latest generation of container ships can be catered for.
To reduce the CO2 emissions per container by 50%, Port of Antwerp-Bruges will install electrification infrastructure and other optimizations in addition to wind turbines, which will increase the port’s share of renewable energy.
Other plans for the renewal of the port include increasing the depth of the 1,200m-long quayside from 13.5m to 16m to moor larger depth vessels during the works to minimize operational impact.
After a tender process, the contract for the works was concluded with a temporary company of four contractors: Artes Roegiers, Artes Depret, Herbosch-Kiere and Boskalis.
“With the modernization of the Europa Terminal we are underlining our ambitions as a container port,” said Jacques Vandermeiren, CEO of Port of Antwerp-Bruges. As a world-class port, it is essential that we continue to play at the highest level and are able to accommodate the biggest ships. We are, however, aware of the impact of our activities on the surrounding area and local residents. That is why we are committed to reducing mooring emissions, among other things. With a new, efficient and sustainable terminal, we are building the port infrastructure of the future.”
“The development of the Europa Terminal will futureproof our operations and service levels by reducing our carbon footprint by more than half, improving the safety of our people and meeting our customers’ increasing demand for mega-ship capacity,” added Jurgen De Wachter, general manager at PSA Antwerp Container Business.
