The Flemish ports are of crucial social importance, not a hostage target of any private interest. So says the Flemish Ports Association following the fierce protests by farmers and accompanying blockades at the ports. Read their opinion here.
“The Flemish seaports are of crucial social importance for Flanders as a source of income and employment. They are strategically critical infrastructure, the backbone of the economy and the engine for making our Flemish industry more sustainable.” This collection of statements does not come from ourselves, the port community. It is an anthology on the importance of our Flemish ports from various documents from the Flemish government and the Flemish government.
And it is, of course, true. The Flemish ports are of crucial social importance. The companies there provide – directly and indirectly – more than 230 000 jobs. They invest more than 5 billion euros a year there, mostly in sustainability, and thus show themselves to be a forerunner in making Flemish industry more sustainable. Without Flemish ports, Flemish prosperity would look very different.
Rash
That essential position makes the ports a favourite target for all those who are dissatisfied and want to manifest that publicly. With a few strategically placed blockades or targeted actions, disproportionate damage can be done. The tactic – the end justifies the means – is straight out of a Machiavelli’s handbook, albeit totally thoughtless, irresponsible and therefore illicit. At least, if everyone still agrees that our ports are of crucial social importance?
One day of boycotting port activity costs 82 million euros in added value. That is 10% of the added value realised every day in Flanders. And that’s without counting all derived damage outside the port. A blockade disrupts the normal flow of a million tonnes of incoming and outgoing goods. It is precisely this immense flow that makes our ports the logistics hub and one of the pillars and trump cards of the entire Flemish economy.
Stain on reputation
But above all, it is a stain on Flanders’ international reputation. We must hope that the foreign headquarters of international companies – which decide on the next investments – do not present the bill for an increasing unpredictability of our logistics system. And that Flanders can remain at the front of the queue to continue the sustainability acceleration.
If the Flemish seaports really are of crucial social importance, action groups must show the responsibility to acknowledge this. We call on them not to keep targeting the economy’s Achilles heel. To subordinate those tactics to a real higher – because general – interest. If irresponsibility triumphs, local and supra-local governments should intervene. It is up to them to keep ports, as critical infrastructure, logistically accessible at all times and to act decisively if that condition is not met.
Flemish ports are of crucial social importance, not a hostage target of any private interest.
Signed,
Flemish Ports Association
Erik Chabot, chairman Flemish Ports Association and Voka|Vegho
Bernard Moyson, chairman Alfaport
Marc Adriansens, chairman Apzi-Voka West Flanders
Patrick Reyntjens and Mathias Verkest, co-chairmen OPUA – Voka West Flanders
