Antwerp port has emerged as a favourite gateway for Indian steelmakers such as Essar Steel and JSW for moving products into Europe, according to Luc Arnouts, Director International Relations, Antwerp Port Authority that runs Europe’s second largest port.

In 2017, Antwerp Port handled 223.6 million tonnes (mt) of freight of which conventional break bulk rose by 6.6 per cent to 15.3 mt with steel alone accounting for 8.2 mt, Arnouts said, adding that the “very impressive figures for steel” pointed to Antwerp’s growing reputation as “Europe's leading steel port”.

“A significant portion of the steel handled at Antwerp was contributed by Indian steelmakers, thereby demonstrating the confidence of Indian steel traders in the Port,” he said during a visit to India last week as part of a delegation comprising logistics companies from Antwerp offering terminal handling, valued added services and steel service centres.

Arnouts said that the port's focus is to be a reliable partner to shippers offered through its regular break-bulk sailings to global markets and quadrimodal options available in rail, road, barge and pipeline operations connecting to the European hinterland.

Much of the steel coming from India are now cold rolled and galvanised steel, said an official at Euroports, one of the biggest port infrastructure companies in Europe. The firms’ facility in Antwerp handles three-four ships a month bringing steel from India.

Ann DeSmet, Commercial Manager, Antwerp Port Authority, outlined the positive outlook for Europe in 2018 at 1.9 per cent driven by the automotive, construction and mechanical engineering sectors, thereby presenting Indian steel exporters with a strong market opportunity.

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