Antwerp Antwerp
<strong>City</strong>-port context of Antwerp ‘Inland’ ma<strong>in</strong>port - from expansion to <strong>in</strong>tensify<strong>in</strong>g and connect<strong>in</strong>g (new) circular cityport area’s? 15 1 Description of location <strong>in</strong> relation to o<strong>the</strong>r (sea/) ports Antwerp is <strong>the</strong> second largest seaport <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Delta</strong> and <strong>the</strong> ma<strong>in</strong> economic driver <strong>in</strong> Belgium. Located along <strong>the</strong> Scheldt river, it functions as a h<strong>in</strong>ge towards <strong>the</strong> port of Brussels and <strong>the</strong> Ruhr area via <strong>the</strong> Albert canal and tra<strong>in</strong>. 2 Description of current activities The port of Antwerp has large <strong>in</strong>dustrial activity count<strong>in</strong>g for over 50% of <strong>the</strong> added value. This ma<strong>in</strong>ly because of its large petrochemical cluster, <strong>the</strong> biggest <strong>in</strong>tegrated cluster <strong>in</strong> Europe. Fur<strong>the</strong>rmore, a large activity around logistics is present, with a big proportion for conta<strong>in</strong>er, due to its good connection via rail and central position <strong>in</strong> Europe. The share of conta<strong>in</strong>ers <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> total transport flow through <strong>the</strong> port shows a strong <strong>in</strong>crease; <strong>the</strong> share was 34% <strong>in</strong> 2000 and 54% <strong>in</strong> 2014. This was ma<strong>in</strong>ly at <strong>the</strong> expense of <strong>the</strong> share of conventional general cargo. In 2009, very large conta<strong>in</strong>er ships, with a capacity of more than 14,000 TEUs, called at <strong>the</strong> port. Antwerp has thus streng<strong>the</strong>ned its market position and was <strong>the</strong> second conta<strong>in</strong>er port <strong>in</strong> Europe, after Rotterdam. Transport between <strong>the</strong> port and h<strong>in</strong>terland is mostly by road, but <strong>the</strong> importance of <strong>in</strong>land shipp<strong>in</strong>g is <strong>in</strong>creas<strong>in</strong>g. In 2009, almost 35% of all freight was transported by <strong>in</strong>land vessels. In May 2011, a rail service was announced between <strong>the</strong> port of Antwerp and <strong>the</strong> Ch<strong>in</strong>ese city of Chongq<strong>in</strong>g. With 32 million <strong>in</strong>habitants, Chongq<strong>in</strong>g is <strong>the</strong> largest city <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> world, located some 1,500 kilometres west of Shanghai. The rail l<strong>in</strong>k runs from Antwerp via Germany and Poland to Ukra<strong>in</strong>e, Russia, Mongolia and Ch<strong>in</strong>a. The distance from start to f<strong>in</strong>ish is around 10,000 kilometres, mak<strong>in</strong>g it <strong>the</strong> longest tra<strong>in</strong> service <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> world. Only freight is transported, <strong>in</strong> particular conta<strong>in</strong>ers. The idea of this service between <strong>the</strong> two cities was made dur<strong>in</strong>g a bus<strong>in</strong>ess trip that <strong>the</strong> Antwerp Port Authority and partners organized to Ch<strong>in</strong>a <strong>in</strong> 2010. The tra<strong>in</strong> journey will take approximately 22 days; cargo that is transported by ship takes about twice as long 3 Description demographic/socio-economic dynamics. Antwerp knows a strong demographic growth with strong socio-economic challenges. Similar to Brussels (or Rotterdam or Amsterdam), Antwerp is characterized by a young, multicultural and multi- l<strong>in</strong>gual population. In <strong>the</strong> recent years, <strong>the</strong> water development of het Eilandje (and <strong>the</strong> Cadix) has provided attractive hous<strong>in</strong>g for <strong>the</strong> young and work<strong>in</strong>g generation. Fur<strong>the</strong>rmore, Antwerp, <strong>the</strong> ‘<strong>City</strong> Along <strong>the</strong> Stream’ is known for its fashion <strong>in</strong>dustry and diamond trade. 4 Why, and <strong>in</strong> what way is circularity looked at? The lead<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>centive for <strong>the</strong> Port of Antwerp to look at circularity is due for its BigChem and lead<strong>in</strong>g actors <strong>in</strong> metal recycl<strong>in</strong>g like Umicore. They look at stimulat<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>novation, research and development and collaboration through <strong>in</strong>dustrial symbiosis or energy exchange. 5 Who gives substance to this, which partnerships/programmes/<strong><strong>in</strong>itiatives</strong> are made? Antwerp Port Authority implied a commission for a Roadmap for <strong>Circular</strong> Economy <strong>in</strong> 2017. Here <strong>the</strong> ma<strong>in</strong> focus lies on improv<strong>in</strong>g logistical function<strong>in</strong>g and <strong>the</strong> high-tech recycl<strong>in</strong>g of plastics and metals. Here<strong>in</strong>, <strong>the</strong> study has collaborated with lead<strong>in</strong>g companies (mult<strong>in</strong>ational) around possible pilots. Moreover, AG Vespa is function<strong>in</strong>g as area manager, <strong>in</strong>volved, toge<strong>the</strong>r with <strong>the</strong> port authority <strong>in</strong> BlueGate and <strong>the</strong> Innovative <strong>City</strong> Harbour. Fur<strong>the</strong>rmore, a research study has been developed toward <strong>the</strong> better understand of <strong>Circular</strong> Economy, “Stad van Stromen”, as <strong>the</strong> result of a collaboration between <strong>the</strong> Flemish Build<strong>in</strong>g master, Flemish spatial department, OVAM, <strong>City</strong> of Antwerp and Port of Antwerp. Ano<strong>the</strong>r <strong>in</strong>terest<strong>in</strong>g dynamic is happen<strong>in</strong>g around <strong>Circular</strong> Fashion, lead<strong>in</strong>g to a broad coalition like Stadslab2050, designer, fashion brands also funded by <strong>the</strong> Flemish <strong>Circular</strong> program. 6 Is <strong>the</strong>re already a discourse around cityports? (Yes/no) Who is beh<strong>in</strong>d it and what are <strong>the</strong> ambitions/motives? Yes, Kanaalkant, where <strong>the</strong> focus lies on attract<strong>in</strong>g waterborne logistical activities and def<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g projects around synergies between hous<strong>in</strong>g and <strong>in</strong>dustry. Moreover, BlueGate and <strong>the</strong> Innovative <strong>City</strong> Harbour, where AG Vespa operates as an area manager and <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> first place looks for <strong>in</strong>novative practices and companies. In both areas <strong>the</strong>re are waterborne logistical function<strong>in</strong>g/programm<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> relation to <strong>the</strong> city or <strong>the</strong> h<strong>in</strong>terland (<strong>City</strong>Depot <strong>in</strong> BlueGate). This is a precarious balance as logistics asks for large surfaces and <strong>the</strong> value of <strong>the</strong> land is high.