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The Port of Antwerp, the second largest port in Europe, expects a 10 per cent growth in cargo volume from India, said the Port's India representative, Mr Raj Khalid.
So far, up to August end, the port handled over six million tonnes of Indian cargo which is about 15 per cent more than the volume logged during the corresponding year-ago period.
Gateway to Europe
In addition, Indian cargo is being transhipped through Colombo and the West Asia ports to Antwerp.
Antwerp, which is well-connected through rail and road, has emerged as a gateway port for Indian exports to Europe, as its economical for Indian exporters to reach their goods to all parts of Europe through the port.
Exporters from Nagpur, Ludhiana, Tuticorin and Pune prefer Antwerp to other ports as the overall cost of reaching the goods to the final destination, works out cheaper.
Antwerp offers warehousing and other support services to exporters at a substantially lower cost, Mr Khalid, said in a conversation with Business Line .
Indian cargoes to Europe include textile, steel, chemicals, auto components and granite.
Handling specials
Antwerp Port specialises in handling break-bulk and project cargo as also chemicals and petrochemicals.
In the first six months of the current year, the port handled a total of 96 million tonnes of freight, more than 10 per cent over the same period last year.
Several shipping lines including Shipping Corporation of India operate direct container services from India to Antwerp.
The Port of Antwerp, which has two offices in India- Mumbai and Pune, is also looking at business opportunities in consultancy, training and port management.
According to Mr Khalid, Antwerp Port is for a long-term partnership with India.
The trade between India and Europe is all set to increase despite the current the financial problems in some EU countries.
Vital link
As the second largest port, Antwerp serves as a vital link in the supply chain management for goods between India and Europe.
Being in the heart of Europe, it offers the shortest and fastest connectivity to any part of Europe.
Antwerp Port has a tie-up with some ports in India, including Mundra Port and Special Economic Zone in Gujarat for training and consultancy.
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