Belgium: Antwerp is the main European port for Turkey

Antwerp is by far the most important European port for Turkey. With an annual freight volume of more than 10 million tonnes coming from or destined for Turkey, Antwerp has a market share of about 63% compared with other North-West European ports. In second and third places are Rotterdam and Le Havre, with market shares of 9% and 8% respectively. To reinforce this position the port of Antwerp regularly organises commercial contacts and activities with counterparts in Turkey, such as the Port Day on 30 May in Istanbul.

Growth economy
In recent years Turkey has emerged as a growth country whose economy is expanding rapidly. Its GDP has risen markedly over the past decade, and shipping trade between Turkey and the port of Antwerp has expanded correspondingly. In 2011 the volume of trade between the two economic partners was more than 10 million tonnes. More than 80% of this was carried by container, with other categories including scrap metal, steel, non-ferrous products, marble and chemicals. Turkish importers and exporters find Antwerp to be a reliable partner in the supply chain. The excellent connections with the foreland and hinterland, the wide range of integrated logistics services in the port and the state-of-the-art ICT solutions all help to explain Antwerp's leading position in Europe.

Commercial and political links
To further reinforce links with Turkish counterparts there are regular commercial and political meetings. In March this year no fewer than 15 Turkish chambers of commerce (including those from the economically important regions of Istanbul, Bursa and Izmir) paid a visit to the port of Antwerp. The trip was organised by Voka (Antwerp-Waasland Chamber of Commerce), which maintains various collaborative arrangements with Turkish counterparts. The port of Antwerp has also received visits recently by high-level dignitaries: there was a meeting with Egemen Bağış, the Turkish minister of European Affairs, and the new Turkish ambassador İsmail Hakkı Musa visited the port along with the Turkish consul general Deniz Çakar.

Port Day
The Antwerp port community will be holding a Port Day in Istanbul on 30 May, focusing on the advantages that the port of Antwerp has to offer for Turkish industry, shipping companies and forwarders. This will include presentations by among others Antwerp Port Authority and the Belgian Administration of Customs & Excise. Some 200 participants are expected to attend, rivalling the success of the previous Port Day in 2010.

For more information please visit www.portofantwerp.com