In the anniversary edition of our magazine ’10 years of Flows’, we gave companies in the maritime and logistics sector a chance to put themselves in the spotlight. Multimodal terminal operator BCTN explains how it intends to develop its operations sustainably in the future too.
BCTN wants to further make its entire operations, including ships, rolling stock and terminals, more sustainable with the ultimate goal of zero emissions. A second pillar of the future strategy is the further expansion of the terminal network.
BCTN is a forerunner when it comes to sustainability. The inland shipping fleet already has several ships that are electrically or hydrogen-powered and the truck fleet is already partly electric. The first hydrogen trucks will soon follow. Nor does the terminal network escape sustainability with electric terminal cranes and e-reach stackers.
Network expansion
BCTN’s terminal network currently has five terminals in the Netherlands, with a sixth on the way in Deventer in early 2024, and three terminals in Flanders (Meerhout, Geel and Beringen) with a fourth under construction in Lommel. A fifth terminal is planned in Lanaken in the coming years. “We want to further expand the network in different locations,” says David Huybrechts, general manager BCTN Belgium. “In 2024 we can start up in Lommel, the permits are in place. We are currently working on the infrastructure and fencing.”
“In the coming years, another terminal will be added in Lanaken in collaboration with Wessem Port Services and Groep Heylen. In time, we are aiming for a network of 17 to 18 terminals. No mega terminals but more satellites, small, flexible and local industry driven. That is a sustainable model with a cheaper first and last mile. These can be both greenfield and brownfield projects,” says David Huybrechts.
Focus on 2024
The current year is drawing to a close. So time for BCTN to focus on 2024. “It is a challenging market with declining volumes. A number of market players are already talking about a crisis. We don’t want to go along with that and launch a countermovement. Crying together is not going to solve it. If we let that happen, we will get price erosion and tariffs will come under pressure. Without healthy tariffs, investment opportunities also come under pressure and we go backwards again. All sustainability principles will then be jettisoned.”
“Fortunately, our shareholders are going along with our story. Thus, the acquisition path does not end with our current portfolio. In 2024, the integration of the various companies within the Inland Terminal Group around MCS and BCTN is also on the agenda,” David Huybrechts concludes.
