Antwerp strengthens its position

“Such a strong representation in the P3 Network proves that the three largest container shipping companies in the world are confident of the strengths of our port,” said Marc Van Peel, chairman of the Antwerp Port Authority.

The inland location of the port, once perhaps considered as a possible obstacle to its development of has become a major asset to the hinterland. Four years ago the MSC sent a 14,000 teu ship up the Scheldt and today such visits occur weekly. The 15,500 teu Emma Maersk recently sailed to Antwerp without any problem and the Port Authority was particularly pleased with the October 19, 2013 test trip of the Mary Maersk, one of the largest container carriers in the world and the first time that a vessel of such capacity and dimensions had called at the port.

“Everything is possible at the Port of Antwerp,” said Eddy Bruyninckx, CEO of the Port Authority.