Growing together towards sustained prosperity
By means of its strategic plan 2010-2020 Ghent Port Company continues to build up Ghent port's future. 10 years after its foundation it has the ambition to be ‘more’ of a port. Economic growth is the main thing, just like the realization of a new and larger sealock in Terneuzen. The Port Company plans the growth within the present port area, in cooperation with all those involved and according to the principles of corporate social responsibility. In this matter, it takes up its role as port director in order to further develop the port. Ghent Port Company wants to turn everyone into a supporter of Ghent port so as to grow together towards sustained prosperity. For this purpose, it continues to develop the port into amultimodal logistics platform.
Economic growth
The socio-economic importance of the port for the Ghent and Flemish regions can hardly be overestimated. 72,000 people have a job in or around the port in over 300 companies. Economic growth is a necessary condition here. Ghent Port Company aims at a diversification of its activities, opts for the strengthening of the existing industries and mainly dedicates itself to markets having a large growth potential.
In 2020 port of Ghent still wants to be the seaport having the largest biofuels cluster in Europe. By then, the distribution clusters for food, building materials and biomass will be further developed. Besides a number of regional distribution centres, at least one more new European distribution centre will be attracted and also two new activity clusters in which inland and seagoing navigation will be at the centre.
Moreover, the port wants to fulfil its ambition in the field of container traffic with a growth of up to 300,000 TEU in 2020 through short sea traffic and inland navigation.
This leads to it that by 2020 the port will record an annual seaborne cargo traffic of 30 million tonnes; by inland navigation a 20 million tonnes transhipment is counted on.
The port keeps on working hard for a new, larger sealock in Terneuzen. Its realization is a major condition for fulfilling the port's ambitions and for developing Ghent as a distribution hub for East- and West-Flanders, for North and East France and Europe, both by rail and by inland waterways.
Sustainable zoning management
This economic growth is equally made possible through a good zoning management of the port area. In this matter, Ghent Port Company acts as a sustainable designer. But also in this field, the realization of a new, larger sealock in Terneuzen is an important condition for fulfilling these ambitions. This is why Ghent Port Company displays all possible initiatives for the realization of this sealock.
Owing to this, by 2020 the Kluizendok infrastructure can be entirely developed and operational. 80 hectares will be filled in there by the biobased chemicals sector.
Within the entire port area, the Port Company aims at grouping activities and at the logical approach of the existing brownfield projects. In the old port zone extra advantage will be taken of 25% of the present space by handling it in a more efficient way. In other parts of the port area 60 hectares are further developed into waterfront sites and another 150 hectares are given in concession for port-related activities.
Besides maintaining the existing industrial activities, the Port Company wishes to further develop the port into a logistics platform. By 2020, 35% of cargo traffic will have to go by road, 50% by inland navigation and 15% by rail. Extra attention is paid here to a smooth and safe traffic within the port area.
Ghent Port Company not only wants to make use of all infrastructure in the port area in an efficient way. It also wants to extend its life span through sustainable maintenance and well-considered construction.
Corporate social responsibility
In the further development of the port, Ghent Port Company opts for the principles of corporate social responsibility. By 2020 it wants to be a reference in this field as a port and as a Port Company on the European port scene.
Moreover, the Port Company aims at improving the energy efficiency of economic activities by 20%. When granting concessions, not only the economic surplus value and the location within the port area will be of importance. Concessionaires will be stimulated to develop their activities in a sustainable way.
As a matter of fact, it has the intention to keep on realizing the liveability of the entire port zone and of the canal villages. Moreover, Ghent Port Company aims at realizing a zone of 205 hectares for nature conservation.
Cooperation with all stakeholders
Ghent Port Company plans the establishment of a logistical platform. By the year 2020 this has to lead to a participation by or cooperation with partners inside and outside the Ghent port area.
Economic growth forms the core of Ghent Port Company's strategic plan. The Port Company sees this growth within the present port area and in cooperation with all parties involved. It wants to turn everyone into a supporter of Ghent port in order to grow together towards sustained prosperity.
Photo: Tom D'Haenens