Vietnam: Flemish Collaboration with Saigon Newport Announced

The ports of Antwerp and Zeebrugge, Rent-A-Port and Saigon Newport have signed a collaboration agreement for development of a new bulk terminal in the port of Lach Huyen in North Vietnam.

The leading terminal operator Saigon Newport will call upon the expertise of the ports of Antwerp and Zeebrugge as well as the port investment company Rent-A-Port.

Antwerp, Zeebrugge and Rent-A-Port will support Saigon Newport in drawing up a strong business plan aimed at becoming the market leader in dry and liquid bulk. In addition the possibilities for joint investment in a new bulk terminal in Lach Huyen will be examined. With this collaboration agreement the ports of Antwerp and Zeebrugge for their part seek to attract direct bulk shipping connections from Vietnam to Flanders.

“Vietnam is a strategically important growth region, with a rapidly expanding market,” explained Eddy Bruyninckx, CEO of Antwerp Port Authority. “Our subsidiary Port of Antwerp International has been observing this growth market closely with a view to spotting opportunities that offer added value for our port. Our partners can call upon a port that has developed into a leading international player with a wide range of logistics, industrial and maritime activities.”

With an annual freight volume of 184 million tonnes Antwerp is the largest port in Flanders and the second-largest in Europe. Zeebrugge for its part is the largest Flemish coastal port, and as such it has many similarities with the deepwater port of Lach Huyen. Rent-A-Port is a private investment company that exports Flemish port know-how to Africa, the Middle East and Asia. Since 1996 the company has already invested more than 100 million euros in Vietnam.

Flanders therefore has much relevant expertise to support Saigon Newport in this project.

[mappress]

Press Release, December 4, 2013