The Port of Zeebrugge to be the port of entry for Vietnamese fish exports to Europe
During the Flanders Port Area mission led by Hilde Crevits, Flemish Minister for Mobility and Public Works, the Port of Zeebrugge concluded a contract in Vietnam with the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers(VASEP). Under this contract all Vietnamese pangasius fillet exports will be distributed via a European distribution centre in Zeebrugge, the company said in its press release.
During the port mission to Vietnam and Singapore from 9 to 14 November led by Hilde Crevits, Flemish Minister for Mobility and Public Works, the Zeebrugge Port authority signed a Memorandum of Understanding with VASEP in Vietnam to set up the European distribution centre in Zeebrugge. The MoU was signed by Port of Zeebrugge CEO Joachim Coens and VASEP in the presence of Minister Hilde Crevits.
Ninety percent of global pangasius exports come from Vietnam. Each year the country exports between 150,000 and 200,000 tons to Europe, i.e. a third of its total production. The Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) wants to establish a European distribution centre to consolidate pangasius exports to European markets.
A quarter of intercontinental fish traffic in Zeebrugge already comes from Vietnam. The Port of Zeebrugge hopes to distribute the first centralised shipment of pangasius in the summer of 2014. In the future it is possible that Vietnam’s shrimp exports will also be distributed via Zeebrugge.
The ‘Food’ theme is a spearhead in the coastal port’s policy, which thanks to its good air and environment quality holds the title of ‘clean port’ and is therefore an attractive location for the food sector. Due to its central location in Western Europe Zeebrugge is ideal for European and worldwide distribution. This is already the case, for example, for the distribution of Zespri kiwis to Europe.
The Zeebrugge Port authority and Minister Hilde Crevits received an official delegation from Vietnam in Zeebrugge in September, led by the Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai and Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Ho Kim Thoa.The Vietnamese party were informed about the possibilities of distribution in Zeebrugge during their visit.
The presence of the Flemish Fish Auction, the border inspection post, the various deep sea container services and especially the direct shipping line from Vung Tao to Zeebrugge and the different companies with experience in seafood logistics were considered by VASEP to be major assets offered by Zeebrugge.
Minister Hilde Crevits said: “One of Flanders Port Area’s objectives is to reinforce the competitive position of Flemish ports on an international level. Therefore, it is important that the four Flemish ports are viewed as a single first-class European distribution region to guarantee their future. The conclusion of this agreement ensures that all pangasius fillets from the world producer Vietnam will pass through a European distribution centre in the Port of Zeebrugge in order to supply the European market. The consolidation of these Vietnamese fish exports in Zeebrugge will result in additional jobs in the port. The contacts and negotiations with the Vietnamese authorities and representatives of the ports have resulted in enhanced cooperation between Flanders and Vietnam.”
Joachim Coens, CEO of the Port of Zeebrugge: “Zeebrugge possesses all the facilities and fulfils all the requirements necessary for receiving, storing, handling and distributing food products. This is why various partners in the food industry have already placed their trust in our coastal port. The contract with VASEP reinforces our Food Port and shows once again that our coastal port is the best choice for food logistics.”