Interviews with Port of Antwerp-Bruges and with Port Houston
Matheus Dolecki, Representative - Latin America
PORT OF ANTWERP-BRUGES
How was the port's performance in the first half of 2024?
The year 2023 was a challenging year for our port. Geopolitical tensions and the slowing global economic growth drove down the industrial production and trade flows, resulting in a 5.5% drop in our total throughput compared to 2022.
On the other hand, 2024 has been more positive. In the year's first half, our throughput rose by 3% to 143.2 million tons. The container segment stood out, with a 4.1% increase to 6.66 million TEUs and our market share climbing to 30.8%. What are the key sectors and products of focus for the port in Latin America?
Latin America accounts for nearly 9% of our total throughput. We are the leading North European port for Latin America, holding a 39% market share in container traffic to and from South America. Our focus in the region includes the cold chain segment, especially fresh fruits not found in Europe.
Latin America's abundant natural resources, like sun and wind, make it a strategic region for our sustainability and energy transition goals, with the potential to become a significant producer of green hydrogen and its carriers.
We have partnerships with Porto do Açu and the Port Management Company of Suriname, and we recently signed an agreement with the Mexican Navy and the state of Sonora to improve the Port of Guaymas, leading its green transition and industrialization. What does the Port of Antwerp-Bruges' MoU with Chile on green hydrogen entail?
Our agreement with Chile's Ministry of Energy underscores our commitment to advancing green hydrogen flows. The MoU focuses on sharing best practices for port infrastructure, sustainable maritime transport, and security standards for green hydrogen-powered vessels. Beyond Chile, we are also exploring opportunities in Latin American countries with vital solar and wind resources, particularly Brazil and Uruguay, where we have concrete projects underway.
John Moseley, CCO
PORT HOUSTON
How is Port Houston evolving in its annual cargo handling capacity?
Port Houston is the fastest-growing container port and sits within the largest port complex in the US. The Houston Ship Channel is the busiest in the US by waterborne tonnage. In 2022 alone, the Houston Ship Channel moved 293 million tons of cargo, representing a growth of 27 million tons between 2021 and 2022. Over 70% of the cargo moving through the Houston Ship Channel comprises chemicals, hydrocarbons, and energy-related products, making the port a key player in distributing these goods worldwide. How important is Latin America in trade compared to other parts of the world?
Latin America represents about 32% of the Houston Ship Channel’s business, making it the largest region of its port's international trade. The port is also a major player in containerized cargo, which includes hydrocarbons, downstream petrochemicals, resins, and chemicals, solidifying Port Houston as a key energy and petrochemical hub. Can you shed some light on Project 11 and its significance?
Project 11 is a more than US$1 billion investment to make the Houston Ship Channel safer, wider, and more efficient for maritime traffic, making it possible to accommodate both a Suez Max liquid tanker and a Neopanamax container vessel simultaneously without restrictions beginning later this year. How is Port Houston embracing sustainability with renewable energy and technology?
One of our first steps was becoming the first US port to convert all our public terminals to run on 100% asset-backed renewable energy in partnership with Shell, reducing carbon emissions by over 50% since 2016. Additionally, we have been working on adopting clean trucks, such as hydrogen and electric models, and upgrading our equipment to hybrid or electric versions, and are exploring opportunities for ships to use cleaner fuels, such as hydrogen, ammonia, and LNG, aiming for carbon neutrality by 2050.