Sangam: Port of Antwerp Bruges strengthens ties with India

Port of Antwerp-Bruges joined the Belgian economic mission to India with an important delegation, underscoring the importance India holds as a trading partner for the port. From March 3 to 7 the port authority was present at various activities and organize several others. The goal was to strengthen partnerships for a sustainable future with a vital trading partner and the world’s fastest-growing economy.

Why India is a strategic partner for Port of Antwerp-Bruges

As the world’s fifth-largest economy by GDP – and projected to become the third-largest by 2030 – India represents a thriving, multifaceted market. As one of Europe’s main ports, Port of Antwerp-Bruges believes India will continue to grow as the “factory of the world”. This makes it a pivotal trading partner for the port. That is supported by the numbers, as trade with India grew by 10% last year. In that same year, India’s import volumes through Port of Antwerp-Bruges increased by more than 22%.

Beyond its industrial capacity, India is known for its globally competitive IT and high-tech sectors. As one of the largest automotive industries, India will find a strategic partner in Bruges, the largest automotive port in the world. The chemical hub in Antwerp aligns with India’s world-leading pharmaceutical production. Finally, India’s ambition to lead in renewable energy fits well with Port of Antwerp-Bruges’ focus on energy transition.

Advancing the energy transition together

India’s ambitious focus on renewable energy and green molecules aligns with Port of Antwerp-Bruges’ goal to facilitate the energy transition. That is why the port maintains excellent contacts with several companies that are at the forefront of India’s green energy initiatives.

In its capacity as chair of the Belgian Hydrogen Council, Port of Antwerp-Bruges has teamed up with FIT to organize an MOU with Green H2 India. The three signing parties have agreed to actively engage in pursuit of the acceleration of the energy transition. Therefore, the representatives of the Belgian and Indian H2 ecosystems together with FIT, will jointly support the dialogue on the industry needs and standards. Furthermore, they will explore the technical impact of new technologies and share expertise and views on policy development in pursuit of the mutual goals of the parties.

Strengthening a longstanding relationship

Port of Antwerp-Bruges has been actively engaged in India since establishing a representation office in Mumbai in 2006. The current representative for Port of Antwerp-Bruges in India is Daljit Singh Kohli. The port’s team of representatives shapes international collaboration and focuses on attracting sustainable cargo flows to our port.

This longstanding relationship has enabled the port to build strong networks and establish a training center at Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) in Mumbai.

JNPA-Antwerp Port training and consultancy foundation

Since 1977, Port of Antwerp-Bruges has provided specialized port training through its affiliate, Antwerp/Flanders Port Training Center (APEC). The center offers courses in port management, logistics, and strategy. Over 20 000 professionals from across the globe have received training in Antwerp. Thanks to this success, APEC has set up a training center at JNPA: the ‘JNPA-Antwerp Port Training and Consultancy Foundation’. Every year about nine courses are organized, where a couple of experts from Antwerp, together with local lecturers, share their expertise with Indian port employees.

Port of Antwerp-Bruges International

Port of Antwerp-Bruges International is another affiliate that actively collaborates with Indian organizations. They work closely together with the training institute, private players and other authorities in India. It allows the port to find strategic projects in order to share expertise. Some examples include collaborations with the Indian Institute of Technologies Madras (ITTM), Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port Kolkata and Haldia dock Complex. Together with the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Port of Antwerp-Bruges International currently explores how the port can support major ports to reach their targets, set in the Maritime Indian Vision 2030-2047.

Activities during the economic mission

Port of Antwerp-Bruges was present at the economic mission with an important delegation, consisting of: Jacques Vandermeiren (CEO), Luc Arnouts (VP International Networks), Dirk De fauw (Mayor of the city of Bruges and Vice President of Port of Antwerp-Bruges), Kristof Waterschoot (Managing Director Port of Antwerp-Bruges International) and Achille Sobry (Associate Manager Port of Antwerp-Bruges International).

During the economic mission, this delegation actively participated in a number of events, organized by Flanders Investment & Trade (FIT).

Flanders India Hydrogen and Ports Round Table – Jacques Vandermeiren, CEO of Port of Antwerp-Bruges, joined a panel discussion, chaired by the Flemish Minister-President Matthias Diependaele. Site visit to Larsen and Toubro – Along with the Flemish Minister-President Matthias Diependaele. India-Belgium Industrial decarbonization and global hydrogen supply chains Seminar: Leveraging logistics expertise from Belgium to India Visit to the dredging ship Deme “Congo River”. The Antwerp/Flanders Port Training Center (APEC) and Port of Antwerp-Bruges International (POABI) organized the following events during the economic mission:

Visit to the Institute of Foreign Trade and signing ceremony of a Memorandum of Understanding.  The MoU was signed in the presence of Jitin Prasada, Minister of State for Commerce & Industry, Government of India, Matthias Diependaele, Minister-President of the Flemish Government and Flemish Minister of Economy, Innovation, and Industry, Foreign Affairs, Digitalisation, and Facility Management; Ajay Bhadoo, Additional Secretary, Department of Commerce, Prof. Rakesh Mohan Joshi, Vice Chancellor, IIFT, Belgian delegation – Jacques Vandermeiren, CEO of Port of Antwerp-Bruges; Dirk De fauw, President of Port of Antwerp-Bruges International and Kristof Waterschoot, Managing Director of Port of Antwerp-Bruges International and other esteemed dignitaries from Belgium and India.

Visit to JNPA-APEC training facility in the presence of Her Royal Highness Princess Astrid. A key highlight of the visit was the signing of an MoU between JNPA and APEC-Antwerp/Flanders Port Training Centre, laying the foundation for a world-class port training institute in India. This initiative reinforces JNPA’s commitment to advancing maritime education and developing a skilled workforce.

Port of Antwerp-Bruges organized the Excellence Through Sangam gala event during the Belgian Economic Mission.

Excellence through Sangam gala event

To celebrate and highlight the excellent Belgian-Indian relations, Port of Antwerp-Bruges launched the initiative of an exclusive gala event in collaboration with Flanders Investment & Trade and supporting Belgian and Indian partners. The festive evening brought a blend of Indian and Belgian entertainment, combined with meaningful content, increasing mutual understanding and paving the way for new ways of cooperation.

Through this event, Port of Antwerp-Bruges demonstrated its pivotal role in creating partnerships, positioning itself as a key player in global trade, and leading the energy transition. However, this event goes beyond highlighting the port alone; it places Belgium as a whole in the spotlight. The key purpose was to celebrate the power of collaboration and the synergy between our two nations, showcasing the expertise and innovation of Belgian industries for an audience of high-level Mumbai business representatives, Indian high-level policy makers and the Belgian delegation.

Sangam, as the event has been described, is derived from Sanskrit, means “coming together” or “confluence,” symbolizing the unity of diverse elements. The gala embodies this spirit by building connections between India and Belgium, tradition and modernity, and shared aspirations for sustainable growth and innovation through partnership.