During the Flemish Port Debate organised by Flows, the maritime community came together at Dock3 in Antwerp. Besides some substantive debates on security, shore power, hydrogen and scarce space, the prestigious award ‘Maritime Personality of the Year’ was once again presented.
It was port alderwoman Annick De Ridder who opened the event on 12 December 2023 and outlined a state of affairs. In her introduction, she referred to the challenging circumstances facing the port and industry. “As a global port, we are in the middle of that storm and it is natural that we feel the effects of it. That is why we need to be resilient and quick to react. We want to be innovative and efficient to continue facilitating sustainable growth.”
Presenter Wim De Vilder chatted up the afternoon, and Flow journalists Julie Desmet and Bart Meyvis led the panel discussions. Numerous stakeholders from the maritime and logistics world were present to give their views on the various topics.
For instance, there was a debate on port security and how use of biometrics could help in this regard. The safety of ships flying the Belgian flag and their crews was also discussed, as piracy is rearing its head again. During the debate on shore power it became clear that Flanders lacks a structural policy on this. Moreover, grid operators are not ready to handle such peaks.
Hot topics
North Sea Port and Port of Antwerp-Bruges are strongly committed to facilitating hydrogen, from import to conversion and further distribution. In this way, Flanders wants to put itself on the map as a hydrogen hub in Europe, although there is also criticism that it is a hype and that green hydrogen (based on renewable energy) will make up only a fraction of the total in the coming years.
Scarce space and strict regulations were the subject of the latest debate. It is increasingly difficult to realise large projects in Flanders, given the many diverse functions that need to be reconciled: port, industry, habitation and environment. Calls were made for a more realistic approach, and the mobility problem, especially the accessibility of the Antwerp port during the Oosterweel works, also featured strongly.
Award
After the debates, it was time for the presentation of the ‘Maritime and Logistics Personality of the Year’ award. That trophy had beenawarded annually since 1972 by the members of journalists’ association ESPA to the most deserving maritime person of the year. As the curtain fell on association ESPA, trade magazine Flows is continuing the tradition of that prestigious award.
It was Customs’ Administrator General Kristian Vanderwaeren who won the award. The jury, through Bart Meyvis, praised him for his relentless fight against drugs and his realistic view of the issue. His open communication was also highly appreciated.
“I am honoured with the award because often I feel like Odyssey who also sailed in Homer’s Iliad, facing sirens and many storms,” said a proud Vanderwaeren. “What I love about the maritime sector is the good cooperation between the public and private sectors. Together we fight the cancer of drugs in the ports. I therefore dedicate this award to everyone who puts their shoulders to the wheel here.”
View the photo album here:
