The Port of Antwerp-Bruges and the Port of Rotterdam are calling for large-scale investments in Europe’s industrial competitiveness, urging the European Commission to focus on strengthening international supply chains and industrial clusters.
This comes ahead of the publication of the Competitiveness Compass and the Clean Industrial Deal.
As key energy, logistics, and industrial hubs, the two largest ports in Europe argue that they can play a pivotal role in implementing the EU’s Clean Industrial Deal, which aims to enhance the investment climate in Europe.
The ports are advocating for a cross-border approach that links industrial clusters rather than focusing solely on specific sectors or regions.
READ: Port of Rotterdam looks to efficient road transport
A joint study conducted by Vrije Universiteit Brussel and Erasmus University Rotterdam highlighted the integrated nature of the port complexes, linking goods and energy flows to businesses far inland. The research revealed that the combined scale and interconnections between Antwerp-Bruges, Rotterdam, and the surrounding industrial cluster, known as ARRRA, make these ports critical to Europe’s industry, with the ARRRA cluster accounting for 40 per cent of Europe’s petrochemical production.
Strengthening collaboration between the two ports could offer further benefits, but the ports stress that this requires investment in connectivity, regulatory reform, and stronger support for sustainability.
This message was shared with European Commissioner for Climate, Net Zero, and Clean Growth, Wopke Hoekstra, at a recent event in Brussels.
Boudewijn Siemons, CEO of the Port of Rotterdam, said: “Significant investments have been made in our port complexes. At the same time, we see the competitiveness of European industry declining.
“It is therefore important that ports, national and European governments join forces for a European investment climate in which companies can continue to build for the future.”
READ: Rotterdam-Singapore green corridor pilots liquefied bio-methane bunkering
Jacques Vandermeiren, CEO of the ort of Antwerp-Bruges, added: “A systemic port cluster approach contributes to achieving Europe’s goals.
“The ports of Antwerp-Bruges and Rotterdam are unique sites where multimodal logistics, energy and industry come together. The transition to a sustainable economy demands cross-border cooperation and a sense of realism. As ports, we want to jointly contribute to anchoring European industry for the future.”
