The Port of Antwerp on Wednesday informed it has awarded a breakbulk concession to PSA Breakbulk NV, providing further boost to project cargo and breakbulk segment. 

At the end of last year, Port of Antwerp launched an appeal for the water-bound site of around 15 ha beside Churchill Dock South and expressly demanded ‘breakbulk’ activities. Meanwhile, both the appeal and the contract negotiations are complete.

In the context of the new project cargo ecosystem on the site, PSA Breakbulk NV has arranged a merger, involving 50% of its shares, with the Austrian association Felbermayr Holding GmbH, as specialists in heavy lifting activities.

The area around the Churchill Dock has historically developed into one of the most important sites for breakbulk terminals at the port of Antwerp, a fact that has been further consolidated by this choice of concessionaire.

Port of Antwerp aims to fuel projects in the breakbulk and project cargo segment as much as possible and believes in its development, which is why the organized appeal explicitly demanded the presence of breakbulk activities.

Q1 breakbulk activity in Port of Antwerp rising

In Q1 this year, the breakbulk segment enjoyed its best quarter since Q2 2019.

The throughput of iron and steel, the most important goods group in this segment, increased by 18.2% due to a peak in the supply of steel, which can be explained by the new import quotas that have taken effect since 1 April.

Jacques Vandermeiren, CEO Port of Antwerp said, “The joint project by these two firms (PSA Breakbulk NV and Felbermayr Holding GmbH), has been founded on concrete commitments, which are fully aligned with the intended concession objective. Breakbulk generates a high added value in our port’s portfolio, so it’s crucial that we continue to highlight these goods.”

Port Alderman Annick De Ridder added that awarding this concession to a breakbulk player confirms that this segment remains an absolute priority for the port.

Dennis Verbeeck, General Manager PSA Breakbulk NV said: “In addition to the focus on steel, we will work out a project cargo ecosystem together with Felbermayr (now a shareholder of PSA Breakbulk NV) with a logistics hub and one-stop-shop for large-scale project cargo. The planned crane with a lifting capacity of 750 tones will contribute to the realization of the project.”