Antwerp car terminals report fast turnaround

Thousands of cars are unloaded and sent on their way again every day from the port of Antwerp. Here the vehicles are customised and made ready for the road. In this way the port functions as an essential intermediate station with value-added logistics in the heart of Europe. Antwerp is the main hub for the Italian Grimaldi Group and the European logistics hub for the Fiat group. On the other side of the dock ICO (International Car Operators) handles Mazda, Hyundai, Suzuki, Opel, Chevrolet), the Belgian port said in a press release.

One major feature of the terminal is the Pre-Delivery Inspection (PDI) center. “This is where we make the vehicles ready for the road,” explains Yves De Larivière, CEO of the terminal. “Each car is carefully inspected for damage. We carry out any repairs that may be necessary, fill the fuel tank, fit the desired accessories, put in the manual and apply the lettering. In short we adapt the car to the local market for which it is destined. In this way we are able to offer the car dealers an efficient full package.”

For ICO, one of the largest handling companies in Belgium, Antwerp’s strategic location and connectivity are major advantages. Last year the car terminal handled 460,000 vehicles on its 125-hectare site. The port of Antwerp is the European hub for Mazda, Hyundai, Chevrolet, and Opel (Mokka). “In Antwerp we fit certified OEM accessories to suit the requirements of the individual customer. In the case of Mazda, for instance, 85% of all gps units are fitted here in Antwerp. More than 80,000 cars per year are given rustproofing treatment before being sent by truck or train to the dealers in Europe,” says Ruben Declercq of ICO.

In Antwerp ICO has two of its own Vehicle Processing Centers (VPCs). In addition to having accessories fitted, here the cars are washed, inspected for damage and carefully repaired, and are also provided with sales options and have lettering applied. In addition, ICO carried out remarketing of cars: vehicles used by Avis or Hertz for not more than six months are carefully refurbished to nearly new cars. Another unique service is the 'one minute movie': a short video of the refurbished vehicle is made in Antwerp so that the dealer can sell the car before it physically arrives in the showroom.

“As a port city with a long tradition, Antwerp has built up a huge reputation in international trade,” says Ruben Declercq of ICO, explaining the presence of this value-added activity. “Furthermore Antwerp is ideally located for onward transport by road, rail or barge.”