Ports of Rotterdam and Antwerp-Bruges call for rapid Clean Industrial Deal implementation

The Dutch Port of Rotterdam and Belgian Port of Antwerp-Bruges have welcomed the Clean Industrial Deal, through which the European Commission intends to strengthen the competitiveness of European industry, emphasizing that now is the time to concretize the announced measures.

The ports said they support the strategy for bundling economic strength and a sustainable transition, adding that in the current geopolitical context, a stronger, more independent Europe is more urgent than ever.

Acknowledging that energy prices, infrastructure coordination and European Union (EU) regulation present some of the biggest challenges for companies in the Antwerp-Rotterdam-Rhine-Ruhr area, the ports endorsed the Commission’s idea that a European approach has to go hand in hand with national measures.

As disclosed, three items in the new EU package are particularly important for the ports:

• Relieving pressure on energy costs – “It is positive that the European Commission recognises how crucial energy prices are for industry. The ‘Action Plan for Affordable Energy,’ the impact of which should be felt in 2025 already, comes not a moment too soon for the ports. Targeted measures are necessary to reduce investment risks in the production and purchase of renewable energy,” the ports stated.
• The role of hydrogen – The ports welcomed the fact that hydrogen is seen as an important component in the decarbonization of the European energy system but pointed out that besides local production, imports are necessary to provide Europe with sufficient energy. They highlighted: “To get the hydrogen market definitively up and running, the European definitions of, and criteria for, ‘renewable hydrogen’ must be revised as rapidly as possible.”
• Infrastructure as the backbone of the transition – The ports revealed they support the Commission’s ambition to work on interconnectivity and the further construction of energy infrastructure, noting: “The announced ‘Industrial Decarbonisation Accelerator Act’, which aims to simplify permitting procedures, is an important step. Investment in energy infrastructure between industrial clusters is the basis for the effective import, production, distribution and storage of renewable and low-carbon energy and raw materials in Europe.”

The Commission’s plan to work with industrial clusters is said to represent another positive for the ports. In this regard, they called for an approach that focuses on strengthening international chains and industrial clusters, rather than specific regions or sectors.

Boudewijn Siemons, CEO of the Port of Rotterdam Authority, commented: “Europe is confronted with the challenge of maintaining its industrial base while making it more sustainable. As port authorities, we are making substantial investments in large-scale transition projects, and are currently working with partners to build new infrastructure at our ports. Together, we must now make it possible for companies to also invest in the new economy. An effective and consistent industrial policy from the EU and national governments is an important prerequisite in this regard.”

Jacques Vandermeiren, CEO of Port of Antwerp-Bruges, said: “We welcome the Clean Industrial Deal presented by Ursula Von der Leyen in Antwerp. This marks an important step in strengthening European industry. Now is the time for concrete action, with targeted measures and clarity so that companies can invest in a sustainable and competitive future. With various partners, companies and governments, Port of Antwerp-Bruges and Port of Rotterdam are working together to help strengthen European industry and perpetuate its strategic position.”

It is also worth mentioning that the European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO), the representative body of port authorities, port associations and port administrations, revealed it perceives the document as a “first but important step to advance on the decarbonization track while making Europe more competitive and strong.”

Isabelle Ryckbost, ESPO’s Secretary General, highlighted: “Ports are not only hubs in the supply chain, but through their hub function they are also clustering many industrial activities. We see in the Clean Industrial Deal launched today a lot of understanding of the challenges to combine decarbonisation and competitiveness in Europe. The document is in that sense a good first step, but a lot will depend on its concrete implementation.”

Other associations representing the maritime industry also welcomed the new plan but, among other things, stressed the need for a much stronger effort from the EU to scale up the production of green fuels.