Breakbulk Europe 2013 starts in Antwerp
Antwerp is hosting the Breakbulk Europe conference from 14 to 16 May, for the eighth year in a row. As the largest breakbulk port in Europe, Antwerp is the main sponsor of this event, being held in Antwerp Expo, Port of Antwerp says in its release.
In the space of eight years the conference has expanded from 800 to more than 5000 participants from the international breakbulk and logistics world, so that all the 250 available stands are taken up. Shipping companies, shippers, freight handlers, forwarders, port authorities and service providers can follow presentations by various top speakers, as well as networking with local and global breakbulk players.
Breakbulk Europe 2013 is being organised by Breakbulk magazine & events. Breakbulk magazine additionally organises similar conferences in North America and China at which Antwerp Port Authority also has a prominent presence. Antwerp will host Breakbulk Europe once more in 2014.
“The port of Antwerp is one of the most important economic players in Europe, and by far the continent’s largest breakbulk port,” declared Marc Van Peel, port alderman and chairman of Antwerp Port Authority. “Not only is it the European market leader for handling steel and fruit, it is for example also the world's leading port for storage of coffee. Antwerp owes its prominent position as a breakbulk port to its superior connectivity, both on the landward and on the seaward side, together with its state-of-the-art terminals equipped with the very latest equipment, as well as its experienced, highly professional dockers. The conventional method of shipping through the port of Antwerp is very labour-intensive, creating added value for the entire supply chain. The breakbulk segment is of strategic importance and so companies are continuing to invest heavily in it. Innovative technologies, further investments in infrastructure and superstructure and expansion of our services will ensure that Antwerp remains the leading breakbulk port in Europe in the coming years.”