New year letter Paul Valkeniers (managing director Cepa)

These are short and dark days. Reflecting now on 2017 and formulating wishes for 2018 is the best antidote to combat an acute flare-up of the winter blues. I particularly remember (and it is almost becoming a cliché) the strong growth of our port of Antwerp. Our companies, active in all commodities, recorded fine figures: containers continued their remarkable advance, ro-ro flirted with ‘double digits’ and conventional general cargo showed itself more resilient than before. This ideal blend makes 2017 a ‘grand cru’ to cherish.