projects
Flanders port area
With Flanders Port Area the Flemish government launched an ambitious plan to promote cooperation between the ports of Ostend, Zeebrugge, Ghent and Antwerp. According to this vision the four Flemish seaports rather are complementary shares of a larger whole than being each other’s competitors.
Objective of Flanders Port Area is to further reinforce the trump cards of Flanders as logistic top region by means of concrete projects.
Focus lies on exports and promotion policy, research and innovation, communication and social basis, regulatory and procedural framework and common hinterland strategy. Flanders Port Area must give private port operators more legal security and clarity and increase efficiency.
The VHV has been asked by minister Kris Peeters to play a trigger role for the part exports and promotion policy.
The Antwerp Shipping Association and Alfaport Antwerpen have asked the Institute of Transport and Maritime Management Antwerp (ITMMA) to make a study on whether or not the procedures, legislation and tarification between Zeebrugge and Antwerp have been synchronized. The results of this study will be represented during an evening seminar in the autumn of 2008.
EUROpean Port policy
Between November 2006 and May 2007 the European Commission organised six workshops in function of a new European Port Policy. During these workshops all stakeholders concerned were given the opportunity to give their opinion on the discussion papers that had been distributed by the European Commission on beforehand.
The VHV has drawn up a vision paper on the future European port policy. The document was presented to Jaques Barrot, European Commsioner for transport and vice-president of the European Commission.
Furthermore the VHV cooperated in drawing up a recommendation of the VHC (Flemish Port Commission) with regard of the European port policy.
REORGANISAtion customs administration
The VHV pleads for a thorough reorganisation of the customs administration, modernisation of the legislation and abolition of the fees for customs overtime.
Contact for more info on these files:
Stephan Vanfraechem (tel. +32 3 205 18 83)
e-mail: stephan.vanfraechem@alfaportantwerpen.be