The Antwerp Shipping Association ASV organised the twelfth edition of Shiplink on 28 March 2024. The networking event attracted over 1,500 visitors and is considered one of the biggest maritime happenings in Belgium.
It was over the heads at Waagnatie for the latest edition of Shiplink. The event offers ASV members the chance to invite customers and relations from the forwarding, shipper and port world to their personalised stand for a bite to eat and a drink.
Red carpet
ASV went for a new look and feel this year and literally rolled out the red carpet for visitors under the name‘Shiplink Red Carpet Line‘. “This year, the space was decorated with luxurious chandeliers, different chairs and seats. At each stand, we also worked with large images of portholes,” says Kristel Van Hecken, policy advisor at ASV. “Based on the ‘welcome aboard’ principle, we really wanted to give our guests the feeling of being welcomed aboard a ship.”
Perennial favourite
The networking event – organised biannually – has become a fixture in Antwerp’s maritime community since its launch in 2001. “The reactions were very positive. It was a successful edition,” she says. “People are happy to see each other again and catch up. What is unique about Shiplink is that, in addition to commercial staff, people are also invited who do bookings, for example. Our industry still runs very much on people. Knowing who is behind the phone or mail makes a world of difference.”
Around the bar, 21 exhibitors were given booth space to greet their guests and make new contacts. For the first time, Global Liner Agencies also participated as an exhibitor. Shiplink 2024 was mainly sponsored by DP World, NVO Consolidation and Crossroad.
