As the second-largest port in Europe, Port of Antwerp-Bruges plays a significant role in the logistics chain of forest products. This is a diverse sector with a promising future. What products are in this flow of goods, and what advantages can Port of Antwerp-Bruges offer?
Wood: from logs to plywood
Wood is the most obvious forest product. Imports range from raw logs to sawn timber. Tropical hardwood from West Africa is an important import product in our port. The construction and furniture industries use this wood extensively due to its durability and aesthetic qualities. Additionally, there is a significant import of wood pellets from the US and plywood, mainly from Asia and South America. Plywood, often used in construction, is transported in containers. During the pandemic, when there was a shortage of containers, plywood was transported as breakbulk, but now that the volume numbers have decreased, it is back in containers.
Pulp: the basis for versatile applications
Pulp is produced through a chemical process where wood chips are heated to separate the right fibers. The quality and type of fibers determine the application of pulp, ranging from paper and diapers to clothing and even chemical products. The largest producing regions of pulp are the US, Brazil, with its vast eucalyptus plantations, and Scandinavia, where pulp is derived 65% from pine and 35% from spruce. This pulp is delivered in large rectangular packages of 2 tons by breakbulk ships, specifically open hatch bulk carriers with gantry cranes. These ships have large rectangular holds to ship large volumes without the extra cost of container loading and unloading. The gantries or jib cranes are on deck for efficient loading and unloading of the cargo.
Paper: from pulp to product
Paper is one of the finished products of pulp. It is largely produced in local markets but is also shipped as a finished product. Paper mainly arrives from Scandinavia and is delivered in rolls. These rolls are stored in high-quality warehouses that are dry and clean, with a smooth floor (to allow the rolls to roll). Various companies within Port of Antwerp-Bruges offer added value services, such as cutting paper and processing it into packaging material. This is a growing market. Although paper usage is decreasing due to the digital transition, the demand for packaging material and cardboard is rising.
The worldwide forest products industry will be gathering in Antwerp from 9-11 September 2024 at Transport Symposium, organized in association with IFPTA (International Forest Products Association).
The papers of Port of Antwerp-Bruges
In 2023, Port of Antwerp-Bruges processed a total of 1.4 million tons of forest products. Of this, 47% was paper, 26% wood, and 27% pulp. These figures are only for breakbulk (conventional and RoRo). Many forest products are also transported in containers, but no individual figures are available for this. The port is important for transport to Northwestern Europe (Benelux, Germany, and France). However, there is also export to the Far East and even Latin America. Although the port is not the largest player in the pulp market, it remains important for paper and wood.
Antwerp offers various logistical advantages due to its central location in Europe. As a seaport, it has a unique location, 80 km inland, making it geographically the closest port to several major economic centers, such as the Ruhr area in Germany.
Zeebrugge also boasts excellent connections and is particularly strong in transshipment. Thanks to the outer port, sea vessels reach the terminal very quickly. The port has excellent connections with the hinterland via road transport, thanks to the new A11 highway, estuarine barges, and direct rail connections at the terminals.
A growing market in a sustainable world
The market for forest products is growing and has a promising future, partly due to the increasing demand from the packaging industry. This is thanks to the economy of online shopping, which received an extra boost during the Covid-19 pandemic. Moreover, cardboard or paper is increasingly being promoted as a sustainable alternative to plastic packaging.
Within the sector, the focus on sustainability is also an important trend. The companies trading forest products in Port of Antwerp-Bruges are leading the way in a sustainable economic model, with initiatives such as the FSC label. This ensures responsible forest management, including so-called nurseries, where new trees are planted immediately after felling. Various players focus on better waste stream management, renewable energy, and even biofuel production. Moreover, Port of Antwerp-Bruges aims to emit no greenhouse gases by 2050, in line with the UN Paris Climate Accords and the EU Green Deal.
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