Port of Antwerp-Bruges has appointed Rob Smeets as its new CEO. Smeets, the current interim CEO, has been given a six-year term and succeeds Jacques Vandermeiren, who announced his departure in April.
Smeets faces a daunting task. Over the next 10 years, the Port of Antwerp-Bruges must secure approximately 5 billion euros for numerous projects.
Knows the company inside and out
Dutchman Rob Smeets (56) is no stranger to the Port of Antwerp-Bruges. He has worked for the port authority for over 20 years, serving in roles such as head of the Tugboat Company, director of operations, and director of nautical operations. Following Vandermeiren’s departure, he also served as interim director.
“Rob knows the Port Authority and the port like no other. He is a familiar face both within and outside the organization, knows our stakeholders, and is skilled at reconciling different interests,” says Chairman Johan Klaps regarding the Board of Directors’ decision.
Significant challenges
Nevertheless, the new CEO faces significant challenges in further expanding the Port of Antwerp-Bruges’ leading position as a global port. Over the next 10 years, the Port Authority will need to secure approximately 5 billion euros for various projects.
For example, new locks are needed in Zeebrugge, the port in Doel is set to expand with a new tidal dock, there is further development of the Waasland Port, and infrastructure work is planned for the Europa Terminal (the very first tidal container terminal in the Port of Antwerp), the largest project.
The most modern container ships are simply too large and too deep for the current infrastructure. Therefore, the 1,200-meter quay wall will be deepened from 13,5 meters to 16 meters, and 12 advanced semi-automatic quay cranes will also be installed. Upon completion, the terminal will be able to accommodate ships of up to 25,000 TEU and 400 meters in length, and the annual handling capacity will increase from 1,7 million TEU to 2,5 million TEU
New strategic phase
About 1,9 billion of the 5 billion comes from the Flemish government, but for the rest, the Port Authority must seek additional capital through bank loans and capital injections.
That is precisely the key difference between Smeets and Vandermeiren. Until now, the Port Authority has been able to fund many investments from its own sources, but the port is now entering a new strategic phase with a strong focus on cost efficiency and sustainable value creation, and thus on seeking external investments.
And not least: The Waasland Port, a key part of the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, lost nearly 2% of its maritime traffic last year. Figures from Statbel show that traffic at all Flemish seaports has fallen by 3%.
Overtaking Rotterdam as Europe’s leading port seemed a possibility just a few years ago, but has since become a Flemish pipe dream once again. The Dutch control about 30% of the container market, while Antwerp-Bruges holds 29%. But perhaps a Dutchman can now turn the tide…
