annual report 2012 port of zeebrugge
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Annual Report 2012 Port of ZeebruggeTRANSCRIPT
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CITY OF BRUGES
2012
A N N U A L R E P O R T
ANNUAL REPORT 2012
1MAATSCHAPPIJ VAN DE BRUGSE
ZEEVAARTINRICHTINGEN MBZ NV
ANNUAL REPORT 2012
/ Board of Directors
Paul Breyne
Pierre Chevalier
Joachim Coens chairman
François Cousin
Dirk De fauw
Luc De Schepper
Daphné Dumery
Renaat Landuyt
Randall Lesaffer
Patrick Moenaert
Dirk Michiels
Hugo Vandamme
André Vannieuwkerke
Marc Verwilghen
port commissioner
Antoon Colpaert
commissioner
Deloitte bedrijfsrevisoren
represented by
Dirk Van Vlaenderen
2–3
/ Management committee
ir. Joachim Coens
managing director
chairman of the management
committee
ir. Rik Goetinck
vice-president
policy & organisation
Vincent De Saedeleer
vice-president business & logistics
Chantal Orlans
secretary of the management
commmittee
/ Supporting departments
public relations
Geertrui Van Ooteghem
press & communication
Joke Swyngedouw
Lieve Duprez
socio-economic department
Patrick Van Cauwenberghe
Magali Royaux
legal department
Chantal Orlans
prevention advisor
ir. Patrice Vindevogel
management assistants
Anne Glas – Lieve Lameire
/ Management council
ir. Joachim Coens
chairman of the management
council
ir. Denis Maly
head of department land
Amedé Van Herreweghe
head of the nautical department
Luc Maertens
head of department finance and
administration
Vincent De Saedeleer
head of department business and
logistics
Nathalie Dufoer
secretary of the management
council
ANNUAL REPORT 2012
/ Departments
department land
ir. Denis Maly
manager engineer
technical department
- electricity and mechanics
ir. Patrice Vindevogel
- building engineering
ir. Frederik Sanders
Bart Vandepoele
ing. Floor Marchand
- administration
Nancy Desmet
edp & information systems
Philippe Warmoes
Eddy Verstuyf
environment and zone planning
ir. Paul Schroé
nautical department
Alain Van Mullem
(until 30/11/2012)
chief harbour master
Amedé Van Herreweghe
(from 01/12/2012)
chief harbour master
Kim Pettens
harbour master
Joseph Vandierendonck
harbour master
department finance and
administration
Luc Maertens
manager finance and administration
administration and personnel
Nathalie Dufoer
finance
Peter Dirix
department business & logistics
Vincent De Saedeleer
vice-president business & logistics
logistics
Miel Vermorgen
trade
Emmanuel Van Damme
representatives
Chisato Watanabe, Tokyo
Sven De Wachter, Pune
Jan Vannieuwenburg, Shanghai
Philippe Le Petit, Paris
4–5
2REPORT BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
TO THE GENERAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS OF 24 APRIL 2013
ANNUAL REPORT 2012
The Belgian economy shrank by 0.2 % in 2012 after a
1.8% growth in 2011. The Euro crisis weighed heavily
on the economy, particularly during the second quarter
of the year. The previous recession dates back to 2008-
2009. The 0.2% reduction in the size of the GDP was
less than in 2009 but the sense of a crisis is now more
acute than ever. The number of bankruptcies reached a
peak, business restructuring programmes followed each
other in quick succession, while the level of unemploy-
ment rose and business confidence declined.
Scarcely better are the prospects for 2013 which
continue to be disappointing. The first six months of
2013 are set to be gruelling because the strong Euro is
affecting exports. The Belgian economy is expected to
consolidate in 2013, growing very little.
Standing at 30% in 2012, the Belgian trade deficit
dropped to €6.3 billion, showing an improvement, but
the gap also highlights the classic areas of concern (de-
pendence on commodity prices, high energy and labour
costs) of the Belgian economy. The healthier trade bal-
ance is attributable to the lower level of imports, down
0.7%, mainly because of Belgian families who con-
sumed less for the first time in nearly 20 years. Con-
versely, exports rose by 0.4%. The Euro zone crisis was
mainly reflected in a sharp decrease in the level of ex-
ports to one or two countries causing concern. Exports
to Ireland, Greece, Portugal and Spain decreased quite
a lot, while a limited decline was reported in the case of
exports to Italy. The main Belgian export markets are
Germany, France and the Netherlands. All three account
for 50% of the total number of sales but Germany con-
tinues to be the main export market for Belgium, fol-
lowed by France. Noteworthy is the 18% increase in the
level of exports to the United States: Belgian companies
are taking advantage of the upswing in the US economy.
The economy shrank by 0.9% in the Euro zone in 2012,
where a number of far-reaching policy decisions were
taken, such as the creation of a permanent emergency
fund and, above all, the ECB’s willingness to play the
role of the protector of last resort for the single curren-
cy. 2013 will mainly be a year in which the measures
taken are applied. While the Euro crisis has apparently
abated, the same cannot be said about its detrimental
economic impact. The Euro zone is continuing to strug-
gle with rising unemployment and sluggish growth,
while few specific plans are available for boosting the
economy: public deficits have to be curbed while incen-
tive measures need to be taken to create the financial
underpinning required for economic recovery.
6–7
In December the m/s CMA CGM Marco Polo moored at Zeebrugge. This constitutes the
largest container carrier in the world. The vessel loads 16,000 containers.
ANNUAL REPORT 2012
Economic growth in the Euro zone countries is stabilising
in 2013. The key economic indicators point to stabili-
sation in Italy, Germany, France and the Euro zone as
a whole. A higher level of growth is anticipated in the
United States (where consumer confidence, industrial
output and retail sales continue to grow) and the United
Kingdom, while the tide seems to be turning in China and
India after months of an economic slowdown.
The UK economy shrank by 0.2%, while the vigorous ex-
port activity continues to lose its momentum. The eco-
nomic agenda is overshadowed by the question of the
referendum on the United Kingdom’s EU membership.
China became the world’s top trading nation in 2012,
signalling a change to the United States’ dominant posi-
tion in this area since the Second World War: China is
fast becoming the main bilateral trading partner of many
countries around the world. At this rate, many European
countries will be doing more business with China than
any other partner in Europe.
In the late 1970s, after a decade of isolation under Mao
Zedong, the Chinese began to focus on trade and foreign
investments. The outcome was a rate of growth aver-
aging 9.9% between 1978 and 2012, earning China the
title of the world’s biggest exporter as early as 2009. In
spite of all the tribulations, together with the transition
from an export-led growth model to a more domestic de-
mand-oriented model, the Chinese GDP is still expected
to grow by about 8.1% in 2013.
The United States continues to be the biggest importer.
The US economy is still double the size of the Chinese
economy.
8–9
3COMMENTS ON THE FIGURES
ANNUAL REPORT 2012
World trade came under pressure at the start of 2012,
while there is still no renewed confidence in the Euro
zone.
The economy cooled down due to the large number
of cuts but confidence revived towards the end of the
year. Economic policy is bearing fruit owing to the
appropriate tough measures imposed by Europe.
In the light of vessel overcapacity shipowners, are
keen to maintain freight rates, as a result of which,
vessels are being taken out of service or laid up for a
temporary period.
The overcapacity situation is most obvious on the
Middle East/Far East trade routes while Zeebrugge
offers solely container services to these shipping areas,
as shown in our annual figures.
/ Containers
Two million teu were handled in 2012. Zeebrugge oper-
ates almost exclusively in the Middle East and Far East.
The figures point to the disappearance of the Indian
container services (ME1 and ME2) because of a different
rotation in the Indian ports.
The suspension of the scheduled services in order to
maintain the supply/demand balance is also having
an impact.
The Chinese ports reported the lowest export figures
in 15 years.
A whole host of alliances were formed at the start of the
year. One example is the CMA CGM/MSC partnership
focused on the Middle East/Far East.
The conclusion to be drawn from an exploration of the
port and market opportunities is that the cargoes of the
new alliances were shipped through Zeebrugge starting
from the second half of the year. Accordingly, the tran-
shipment activities were extended with new services.
Baltic VII, Baltic loop A, Baltic loop C and Baltic loop D
have been added, thus strengthening the port’s role.
10–11
00 03 06 09 12
50,000,000
40,000,000
30,000,000
20,000,000
10,000,000
0
CARGO
TONNES
/ Roll-on/roll-off
It is evident that the fall in European consumption is
due to the never-ending cuts and the uneasy climate
of confidence.
In the case of the United Kingdom all services report an
average decline of 6.8%.
Ireland conversely posted an increase of 2.8 %, show-
ing that the C2C RoRo service to Dublin is catching on.
The Scandinavian traffic’s survival is partly due to an
increase in the Finnish traffic.
Market positions and volumes are also being main-
tained in Southern Europe.
The rising volumes on the deepsea services are mainly
the result of the growing share on the Australian and
North American routes.
The car industry has performed very well: 1,747,000
vehicles handled and a 2.8% increase for exports.
/ Liquid bulk
The nuclear power plants are still shut down in Japan in
the wake of the Fukushima disaster. The coal-and gas-
fired power stations are operating at full capacity to
meet the demand. Gas prices are higher than in Europe
explaining the temporary drop in supplies of LNG.
The medium and long-term growth forecasts nonethe-
less remain unchanged.
Bunkering is also on the increase with the advent of
higher shipping tonnages.
/ Solid bulk
Few variations are reported for the traffic of sand and
gravel, animal feed and grains, along with coal and the
share remains unaffected.
/ General cargo
In spite of the trend for a great deal of cargo to be
containerised, the level of general cargo traffic is
curiously enough on the increase in Zeebrugge.
The main success is in the forest products sector.
Over 1.1 million tonnes of wood pulp, paper and
paperboard were handled in the port with regular
scheduled services to Kotka, Kemi, Oulu, Gothenburg
and Oslofjord. Services are also provided to the east
coast of the United States, Philadelphia, and South
America, Portocel.
/ Passengers
The combined freight and passenger service to Hull
typically enjoy the lion’s share of the passenger mar-
ket but growth was once again accounted for by the
booming cruise sector.
No less than 91 cruise ships called at our port, while 12
paid a visit to Ostend, with which Zeebrugge enjoys a
collaborative relationship.
ANNUAL REPORT 2012
/ Logistics
A lot of attention has been paid to the need to consoli-
date the hinterland services.
The frequency of the services to Duisburg by rail has
been stepped up to 10 trains for the benefit of shortsea
and deepsea cargoes.
Halfway through February 2012 a rail service to
Dourges in Northern France was started up. Towards
the end of the year a satisfactory occupancy rate was
reported of three trains per week.
In conjunction with the port community, work is being
continued on market coverage involving other products
to new destinations.
Seaward, new container feeder services are being
added, primarily to the Baltic region, Scandinavia and
Russia, thus confirming the added value of our coastal
port as a transhipment platform.
Inside the port, inner port terminals were connected to
the outer port by means of a new port road.
/ Expectations
In comparison with the start of the previous year the
Euro zone is apparently showing signs of stability.
The tough remedial measures have been applied with
a disciplined approach. Consumption is under pressure
but international confidence is on the rise.
The supply is larger than the demand in the container
sector, thus putting pressure on transport costs. Ship-
owners will continue laying up ships, and suspending
or abandoning scheduled services in order to maintain
freight prices.
Forecasts are especially difficult to make in these cir-
cumstances. The ports are not generally expected to
see a year of growth.
With the eye on attracting new scheduled services, we
will also be focusing on other markets, such as North
and South America and growth markets in South-East
Asia.
The emphasis is also on attracting companies operating
in the European distribution sector.
The deepening operations at the CHZ quay are making
good progress. The south quay of the Albert II dock has
been completed.
The Bastogne quay has been extended and is now be-
ing dredged.
All these efforts combined with the commitment of the
port community are designed to boost our services.
Appropriate support is also being provided to the gen-
eral cargo and cruise tourism sectors.
12–13
4MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS
ANNUAL REPORT 2012
Transfennica increased the freight services capacity
between Zeebrugge and Bilbao back in January. The
shipping company is now deploying larger vessels: the
M/S Timca and the M/S Kraftca, each offering space for
200 trailers, 12 drivers and 640 containers. The ves-
sels are also suitable for project cargo. The Zeebrugge/
Bilbao service sails twice a week in both directions.
The existing train shuttle between Zeebrugge and
Duisburg was extended in early 2012 from 5 depar-
tures per week in both directions to 7. In Zeebrugge
the shuttle calls at the terminals of Container Handling
Zeebrugge, APM Terminals and P&O Ferries. A range of
rail links is available from Duisburg to Eastern Europe.
Since 5 January the Dutch shipping company Spliethoff
has been carrying paper loads from Zeebrugge to Phila-
delphia. This involves consolidated paper cargoes for
customers StoraEnso and Norske Skog. The service
calls in at the Wielingen dock in the Zeebrugge outer
port. TransAtlantic previously provided this service
over an 8-year period. The cargo originally consisted
of paper from StoraEnso, to which cargoes for Norske
Skog were added. Halfway through 2011 TransAtlantic
decided to phase out the service. StoraEnso and Norske
Skog then turned to Spliethoff as a new partner. The
Norske Skog cargoes are carried by sea via DFDS Lys
Line and from Germany and Austria by road and rail.
The StoraEnso cargoes are imported from Sweden by
sea by means of SECUs (StoraEnso Cargo Units), whilst
they are carried from Finland by roll-trailer.
The Spliethoff service moors every 20 days in Zee-
brugge. The annual volumes vary between 150,000
and 250,000 tonnes of paper.
Since 13 February a container shuttle service has
been operating between Zeebrugge and Dourges in
Northern France. The cargo is being carried by rail
three times a week between Zeebrugge and the tri-
modal platform Delta 3 in Dourges. The train shut-
tle service carries deepsea and shortsea containers.
Dourges is strategically located on the Lille-Paris
transport route, from which freight can also be car-
ried by train to Southern European destinations. The
train shuttle is an initiative of PortConnect, APM Ter-
minals Zeebrugge, PSA Zeebrugge, Inter Ferry Boats
and Naviland Cargo.
The train service loads and unloads at Container Han-
dling Zeebrugge, APM Terminals and P&O Ferries.
As a result of the higher market demand, Transfen-
nica started a direct service to Tilbury in the United
Kingdom in February. The Friday sailing from Bilbao in
Spain calls at the port of Tilbury on the River Thames
on Sunday afternoon, where the vessels are unloaded
and loaded after which they arrive in Zeebrugge on
Monday morning. The fast direct link between Bilbao
and Tilbury offers transport operators a tremendous
advantage thanks to the combinations that can be
made in the various ports.
14–15
On Saturday, 24 March the container ship, M/S CSCL
Venus, owned by China Shipping Container Lines, left
the port of Zeebrugge with a draught of 15.3 me-
tres. The M/S CSCL Venus is a newly-built ship with
a loading capacity in excess of 14,000 containers
(20’-containers). The vessel is owned by China Ship-
ping Container Lines and is being deployed for the
AEX7 service between Europe and the Far East. The
Asia service is being handled at Container Handling
Zeebrugge (CHZ). The AEX7 service constitutes a co-
operation between China Shipping Container Lines
(with 6 vessels), CMA CGM (1 vessel), UASC (United
Arab Shipping Company) (3 vessels) and Evergreen
(in slot charter). The Asia service is being provided by
‘ultra large container ships’ with a capacity of over
14,000 TEUs. The vessels are 365.50 metres long,
51.20 metres wide and have a maximum draught of
15.5 metres. As a deep water coastal port Zeebrugge
has an unlimited capacity to accommodate and han-
dle container ships of this size.
Danish Maersk Line stopped its AE8/FAL5 service to
the Far East in the spring, in the context of its partner-
ship with the French shipping company CMA CGM. The
loss of the AE8 is being compensated for in Zeebrugge
by the introduction of the AE1 service. For this ser-
vice Zeebrugge is the first Northern European port of
unloading.
In the middle of April the French shipping company
CMA CGM started a new weekly container feeder ser-
vice from Zeebrugge to a number of Baltic Sea ports.
Accordingly, calls are being made at Kaliningrad (Rus-
sia), Gdansk (Poland), Rauma (Finland), Gaevle (Swe-
den) and Hamburg (Germany). The M/S Jork and M/S
Anna Sirkka, both 868 TEU vessels, are being deployed
for this service. The vessels are handled at Container
Handling Zeebrugge. CMA CGM has a 35% stake in the
container terminal.
In April the Flemish Port Commission issued a fa-
vourable advisory opinion concerning the completion
of the northern quay wall at the Albert II dock in the
Zeebrugge outer port. The FPC describes the project
as a socially and economically viable investment, so
the existing 720-metre quay wall can be extended by
780 metres. This applies to the quay wall for the ZIP
container terminal, PSA Zeebrugge International Port.
The container ship M/S MSC Filomena, an ultra-large
container vessel, 366 metres long, moored at the CHZ
(Container Handling Zeebrugge) terminal on Friday, 6
April, being MSC’s first call at the port of Zeebrugge.
The world’s second leading shipping company, MSC
has now joined forces with the French CMA CGM for
container services between Northern Europe and the
Far East, on the basis of an agreement concluded in
late 2011. As part of the collaborative process the two
companies will consolidate cargoes in order to be able
12 wind turbine foundations leave Zeebrugge.
The foundations are designed for a windmill
park in Sweden.
Saga Forrest Carriers unloads Brazilian wood pulp in
the Zeebrugge inner port.
ANNUAL REPORT 2012
to deploy the largest possible vessels thereby maxim-
ising savings on the final costs – cost per container
unit carried. Towards this end, MSC and CMA CGM have
deployed 11,000 TEU vessels. The MSC Filomena oper-
ates for the Silk Service. In the case of CMA CGM the
service is marketed as the FAL 6 (French Asia Line).
The shipping companies are also joining forces for the
FAL1 and the FAL3.
M/S Ventura opened the cruise season in Zeebrugge in
April. The vessel is owned by P&O Cruises.
Two new tugboats joined the Zeebrugge fleet in April:
the M/T SMIT Kiwi and M/T SMIT Emoe. The vessels are
managed by the Unie van Reddings- en Sleepdienst
(URS), part of the SMIT Towage Group. The two state-of-
the art vessels have a bollard pull of 85 tonnes, making
them the strongest tugboats in the world. The fleet is
being extended in accordance with the vessel scaling up
process reported in all the Zeebrugge port sectors. Also
the high quality services in the coastal port have to keep
pace with this development, including towage services.
The port of Zeebrugge now has 7 tugboats, one of the
most modern fleets in the Hamburg-Le Havre range.
The tugboats are named after birds with the same
name. The emoe is the second largest living bird spe-
cies in Australia, after the ostrich, while the kiwi is a
flightless bird found only in New Zealand. The two tug-
boats are “strange birds” indeed, as underscored by
their state-of-the-art propulsion systems.
The draught record was broken in Zeebrugge again
in May. Travelling to Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, the M/S
CMA CGM Nevada left the port of Zeebrugge with a
15.5 metres draught. The Nevada can carry 12,000
containers.
The coastal port’s maritime accessibility is a focal
point of the Zeebrugge container strategy. A draught
of 15.5 metres and more generally applies to the new
generation of container ships. Towards this end, the
CHZ’s eastern quay is being deepened and renovated.
The oldest part of the quay wall of APM Terminals
has also been deepened.
The Liberian refrigerated cargo carrier Hawk Bay un-
loaded the first kiwifruit at Belgian New Fruit Wharf
in Zeebrugge in May, which had been loaded a month
earlier at the port of Tauranga in New Zealand. Dur-
ing the kiwifruit season, from May to November,
roughly 20 vessels with an average volume equal to
6,000 tonnes of kiwifruit, or 1.2 billion pieces, are
unloaded.
The Zeebrugge port authority joined forces with Tri-
atlon Brugge and the city of Bruges to stage the first
Port Triathlon on Saturday, 2 June. The participants
were required to swim 500 metres in the Connection
dock, cycle 20 km and run 5 km through the port
area. Thanks to the 606 participants, or 336 individ-
ual tri-athletes and 90 trios, the first port triathlon
turned out to be a great success. There was a surpris-
16–17
Hilde Crevits opens the new administrative offices of the harbour
master’s office.
ingly high number of female participants. The people
taking part were attracted by the outstanding port lo-
cation. With this sports event the Zeebrugge port au-
thority aims at bringing people closer to the port.
In early June the final tubular pile was driven for the
foundation structure for the second LNG jetty at the
Fluxys terminal in the Zeebrugge outer port. In the wake
of the concreting stage, Fluxys will be able to make a
start on the superstructure: the loading and unloading
facilities. The port of Zeebrugge plays a prominent role
in the supply of natural gas to the European markets
and the port is now keen on focusing more on exports.
The facilities created at the new jetty will enable Zee-
brugge to unload large methane tanks, load smaller
vessels and bunkering vessels. The construction of the
second jetty should strengthen Zeebrugge’s status as
a main hub for (liquefied) natural gas.
Three cruise ships called simultaneously at Zeebrugge
on 2 July, carrying as many as 7,000 tourists, whose
main must-visit destination was Bruges. These were
the Caribbean Princess, the Oriana and the Nautica. 91
cruise ships called at Zeebrugge in 2012. The number
of cruise ships visiting the coastal port is on the rise
every year. In order to guarantee passenger comfort
and quality services the Zeebrugge port authority is
set to invest in a cruise terminal that should become
operational in the course of 2015.
In July Zeebrugge became the first port in North-
Western Europe to be granted a halal certificate by the
Halal Food Council of Europe, as it acknowledges that
Zeebrugge meets the Muslim religion’s requirements
in terms of origin, transport, packaging and handling
of halal products. Zeebrugge guarantees that halal
food remains halal in the port during transhipment.
The halal market now accounts for almost 20% of the
food industry worldwide. The main growth markets are
found in the Middle East and Asia.
P&O Ferries reported catering for new car traffic via
Zeebrugge in July in the form of Hyundai cars made in
the Czech Republic and sent to the UK market through
Zeebrugge. The cars are sent by road and rail from
Nosovice to Zeebrugge, accounting for an annual traf-
fic equal to 20,000 units.
A special kind of vessel visited the port of Zeebrugge
in August. The M/S Emerald Ace, owned by Mitsui OSK
Lines, is the world’s very first hybrid car carrier, and is
designed to generate zero CO2 emissions when berthed
in the port. While the vessel is travelling, the power is
produced by a solar energy generator and stored in
batteries. The diesel generators are completely shut
down in the port of call. The stored energy is used to
provide onboard electricity while berthed.
A huge pontoon with 12 wind turbine foundations
travelled from Zeebrugge to Karehamn in Sweden in
August, as part of a project assigned to the dredger Jan
De Nul, who was commissioned to build and place the
ANNUAL REPORT 2012
foundations for wind farms in Sweden. Another 4 foun-
dations were scheduled to be sent over in September.
The Flemish Minister for Mobility and Public Works,
Hilde Crevits, officially opened the new administra-
tive offices for the Zeebrugge harbour master’s office
in September. The department was relocated from the
6th floor to the completely refurbished 4th floor of the
Pierre Vandammehuis, the headquarters of the Zee-
brugge port authority. It is now the 6th floor’s turn to
be completely renovated. The idea is for all the opera-
tional services of the Flemish Authorities and the port
of Zeebrugge, from the pilotage to vessel traffic service
and the harbour master’s office and lock operation, to
be brought together on one floor in 2014. The initia-
tive is designed to maximise the effectiveness of the
nautical ‘chain approach’. A ship’s entire sailing and
port call activities, from the open sea to the quay and
back, have to be addressed efficiently and as a single
process.
In early 2012 the port authority launched an architec-
tural competition for the construction of a cruise ter-
minal in the coastal port. The relevant panel announced
in September that the design by Salens Architecten
from Bruges had been chosen. The number of cruise
ships is rising every year. The cruise passengers have
to be received in the best conditions possible hence
the need to build a terminal. Apart from a check-in and
check-out facility the new terminal will be provided
with a large reception area, office space and shopping
facilities, and a customs luggage control area, along
with a watch point with catering facilities.
A total of 91 cruise ships called at Zeebrugge in 2012,
and 115 are programmed for 2013.
In October the luxury Queen Mary 2 cruise ship called
in at Zeebrugge for the first time.
Exports of wood chips from the port of Bruges to
Sweden started in October. At Geldof Recycling a
first consignment of wood chips (2,000 tonnes) was
loaded aboard the M/S Osterems. The aim is to load
two ships per month in Bruges until April 2013. The
wood chips are used in Sweden as a bio-fuel to gener-
ate electricity.
The Huktra transport company opened a new ultra-
modern maintenance facility in the Zeebrugge Trans-
port Zone on 10 November. Huktra is a key player in
the European tank container carrier sector, carrying
out tank transport activities throughout Europe from
Norway to the Canary Islands and from Iceland to
Moscow. Its main business is carrying chemicals and
food cargoes. The Zeebrugge facility is used for main-
taining and repairing 850 tank containers.
18–19
The first edition of the port triathlon. Participants have to swim 500
meters in the Connection dock.
The company’s €3.5 million investment will ensure it
becomes even more firmly established in Zeebrugge.
The Zeebrugge draught record was broken once again
in late November, when the Columba container ship
owned by the French shipping company CMA CGM
sailed from the coastal port with a 15.64 metres
draught compared with the previous record earlier this
year of 15.5 metres.
During a breakfast meeting in Auckland, New Zealand,
Zespri, the world market leader for kiwifruit, length-
ened the cooperation agreement with Zeebrugge as
the hub for Europe. Zeebrugge will continue to be the
official European distribution centre for Zespri kiwifruit
over the next five years. The breakfast meeting was
part of the Belgian Economic Mission to Australia and
New Zealand, headed by Prince Philippe. The Prince
attended the breakfast meeting, which was organ-
ised by the Zeebrugge port authority. The new con-
tract specifies that Sea-Invest Zeebrugge shall make
its infrastructure available to Zespri for the purpose
of handling, storing, packing and distributing kiwifruit
for the European markets. 140,000 tonnes of kiwifruit
is handled every year providing employment for 250
people. Zeebrugge also signed a sister port agreement
with the port of Tauranga, from where the kiwifruit is
shipped.
Captain Amedé Van Herreweghe has been appointed
as the Zeebrugge’s new chief harbour master, start-
ing from 1 December, succeeding to Alain Van Mullem.
In December the Seatrade vessels Atlantic Klipper and
Baltic Klipper both delivered 14,000 tonnes of lychees
from Madagascar to Zeebrugge’s Belgian New Fruit
Wharf in the Northern Inlet Dock, from where the fruit
is sent to all the Northern European countries. The de-
livery coincided with the Christmas period when there
is traditionally a larger demand for lychees.
The Belgian railway infrastructure manager Infrabel
completed two rail projects in the port area in 2012.
This involves the Bocht Ter Doest, linking the western
and eastern port areas. Consequently, freight trains no
longer have to travel to Bruges, thus cutting one hour
off the travelling time. The second project applies to
a link between the Ramskapelle and Pelikaan sets of
tracks. As a result the passenger train track between
Dudzele and Knokke no longer has to be used. The
projects are important for Zeebrugge owing to the rail
sector’s large share in the context of the freight traffic
modal split. Nearly all the terminals in Zeebrugge are
accessible by rail. The rail investments help to save
time, while boosting efficiency and sharpening the
competitive position.
ANNUAL REPORT 2012
The world’s largest container ship, the M/S CMA CGM
Marco Polo, moored at the port of Zeebrugge, on Tues-
day, 18 December. The almost 400 metres long car-
rier can accommodate over 16,000 containers. The
ultra-large vessel loaded and unloaded at Container
Handling Zeebrugge.
In conjunction with the sister ships CMA CGM Vasco
da Gama and CMA CGM Zheng He, the giant container
ship has been brought into service on the French Asia
Line (FAL1), which links the Asian continent to North-
ern Europe.
The official ceremony to welcome the CMA CGM Marco
Polo to Europe was held in the presence of the CMA
CGM CEO Jacques Saadé. The managing director of CMA
CGM Belgium, Eugène Vanfleteren, and the Flemish Min-
ister Hilde Crevits also attended the ceremony.
The vessel’s efficient port call process demonstrated
that Zeebrugge knows how to cater for container ship-
ping developments thanks to the draught in Zeebrugge
and the fact that vessels of this size can be safely
berthed and quickly and efficiently handled.
/ Promotion campaigns and trade missions
The port of Zeebrugge took part in various trade fairs
and conferences in 2012. The key events include the
following:
Lloyd’s List Roro Copenhagen – Fruit Logistika Berlin
– Autologistics Bonn – EEIG Corridor Frankfurt - Inter-
modal Sao Paulo - Seatrade Cruise Shipping Conven-
tion Miami - Roro Gothenburg - SITL Mumbai - SITL
Paris - Top Transport Europe (Montpellier) -Transrussia
Moscow – Seafood Brussels – Transport Logistics Mu-
nich – Food Logistics Cluster Gothenburg – Shortsea
Euro Antwerp – Logima Casablanca – Inland Terminals
Conference Strasbourg – Automotive Supply Chain
Global Awards Frankfurt – Global Institute of Logistics
event in Virginia.
The port of Zeebrugge took part in trade missions to
various countries in 2012, including Vietnam, Hong
Kong, China, Japan, Turkey and New Zealand.
20–21
Zespri lengthens the contract with stevedore Sea-Invest in
Zeebrugge for the imports and handling of the New Zealand
kiwifruit. The contract is signed in the presence of H.R.H.
Prince Philippe.
5MARITIME NAVIGATION
ANNUAL REPORT 2012
/ Maritime navigation
1. General breakdown
2012 2011 difference %
number of ships 7,797 8,351 -554 -6.6%
tonnage (grt/gt) 195,432,373 205,142,769 -9,710,396 -4.7%
cargo traffic (in tonnes)
unloaded 20,807,521 23,670,520 -2,862,999 -12.1%
loaded 22,736,307 23,286,853 -550,546 -2.4%
total 43,543,828 46,957,373 -3,413,545 -7.3%
passengers
disembarking 354,990 312,792 +42,198 13.5%
embarking 358,162 316,681 +41,481 13.1%
total 713,152 629,473 +83,679 13.3%
vehicles (units)
1. tourist traffic
unloaded 28,092 29,583 -1,491 -5.0%
loaded 27,941 28,806 -865 -3.0%
total 56,033 58,389 -2,356 -4.0%
2. commercial traffic
2.1. laden trucks
unloaded 566,509 600,113 -33,604 -5.6%
loaded 606,151 637,341 -31,190 -4.9%
total 1,172,660 1,237,454 -64,794 -5.2%
2.2. new passenger cars
unloaded 775,775 791,544 -15,769 -2.0%
loaded 971,559 944,754 +26,805 2.8%
total 1,747,334 1,736,298 +11,036 0.6%
containers
units
unloaded 566,925 655,351 -88,426 -13.5%
loaded 585,806 658,561 -72,755 -11.0%
total 1,152,731 1,313,912 -161,181 -12.3%
teu’s (20 Feet Equivalent Units)
unloaded 969,002 1,110,290 -141,288 -12.7%
loaded 984,168 1,096,391 -112,223 -10.2%
total 1,953,170 2,206,681 -253,511 -11.5%
22–23
in % out % total %
20,807,521 22,736,307 43,543,828
Africa 123,925 0.6% 377,021 1.7% 500,946 1.2%
America 743,249 3.6% 1,086,216 4.8% 1,829,465 4.2%
Asia 6,521,404 31.3% 4,104,406 18.1% 10,625,810 24.4%
Europe 11,856,128 57.0% 15,575,905 68.5% 27,432,033 63.0%
Oceania 111,524 0.5% 185,032 0.8% 296,556 0.7%
Sea 1,451,291 7.0% 1,407,707 6.2% 2,858,998 6.6%
Other 0 0.0% 20 0.0% 20 0.0%
/ Maritime navigation
2. Composition of freight (in tonnes)
3. Cargo traffic by continent (in tonnes)
unloaded loaded total % difference
2012 2011 2012 2011 2012 2011
general cargo 14,162,112 15,647,983 20,063,412 21,375,767 34,225,524 37,023,750 -7.6% -2,798,226
roll-on/roll-off 5,146,854 5,465,267 7,401,787 7,665,251 12,548,641 13,130,518 -4.4% -581,877
containers 8,224,427 9,439,871 12,092,838 13,302,773 20,317,265 22,742,644 -10.7% -2,425,379
European 5,253,945 5,387,893 7,988,633 8,563,062 13,242,578 13,950,955 -5.1% -708,377
intercontinental 2,970,482 4,051,978 4,104,205 4,739,711 7,074,687 8,791,689 -19.5% -1,717,002
other 790,831 742,845 568,787 407,743 1,359,618 1,150,588 18.2% 209,030
liquid products 5,064,357 6,408,109 2,630,978 1,872,592 7,695,335 8,280,701 -7.1% -585,366
natural gas 3,028,417 4,483,561 1,210,267 570,240 4,238,684 5,053,801 -16.1% -815,117
refined oil products 1,760,061 1,625,156 1,412,711 1,302,352 3,172,772 2,927,508 8.4% 245,264
other 275,879 299,392 8,000 0 283,879 299,392 -5.2% -15,513
bulk goods 1,581,052 1,614,428 41,917 38,494 1,622,969 1,652,922 -1.8% -29,953
coal and cokes 26,409 23,032 0 0 26,409 23,032 14.7% 3,377
construction materials 1,464,702 1,470,168 878 648 1,465,580 1,470,816 -0.4% -5,236
other 89,941 121,228 41,039 37,846 130,980 159,074 -17.7% -28,094
general total 20,807,521 23,670,520 22,736,307 23,286,853 43,543,828 46,957,373 -7.3% -3,413,545
ANNUAL REPORT 2012 24–25
2012 2011 difference
number of ships 1,433 1,485 -52
cargo traffic unloaded loaded total
(in tonnes) 2012 2011 2012 2011 2012 2011
total 358,978 387,817 274,067 307,437 633,045 695,254 -62,209 -8.9%
/ Maritime navigation
4. Modal split of maritime navigation (in 1,000 tonnes)
/ Inland navigation
Rail statistics from B-Logistics, Cemat, Crossrail, DBSchenker, Hupac, Naviland Cargo, Green Modal, GTS, Bulkhaul.
Composition of the modal split excluding stock forming.
transhipmentfeeder
estuary shipping
inland navigation
rail road pipeline total
roro 426 30 0 267 11,826 0 12,549
containers 4,226 810 132 5,574 9,575 0 20,317
general cargo 5 1 90 436 828 0 1,360
liquid bulk 3,849 1,403 0 52 573 1,818 7,695
dry bulk 0 0 57 0 1,566 0 1,623
total 8.506 2.244 279 6.329 24.368 1.818 43.544
% total 19.5% 5.2% 0.6% 14.5% 56.0% 4.2%
% inland - 6.4% 0.8% 18.1% 69.5% 5.2%
roro 3.4% 0.2% 0.0% 2.1% 94.2% 0.0% 100.0%
containers 20.8% 4.0% 0.6% 27.4% 47.1% 0.0% 100.0%
general cargo 0.4% 0.1% 6.6% 32.1% 60.9% 0.0% 100.0%
liquid bulk 50.0% 18.2% 0.0% 0.7% 7.4% 23.6% 100.0%
dry bulk 0.0% 0.0% 3.5% 0.0% 96.5% 0.0% 100.0%
total 19.5% 5.2% 0.6% 14.5% 56.0% 4.2% 100.0%
2012 2011 difference
number of ships 1,046 1,066 -20
cargo traffic unloaded loaded total
(in tonnes) 2012 2011 2012 2011 2012 2011
total 1,789,533 1,577,098 455,425 526,745 2,244,958 2,103,843 141,115 6.7%
/ Estuary trade
1,200,000
1,000,000
800,000
600,000
400,000
200,000
0
1,0
11
,83
5
1,2
37
,45
4
1.1
72
.66
0
10 11 12
1,1
06
,63
5
00
1,0
96
,77
8
01
1,0
63
,74
3
02
88
1,6
53
03
89
4,6
97
04
94
0,9
88
05
96
8,3
62
06
1,0
20
,26
9
07
92
7,4
67
08
81
8,6
60
09
/ Laden trucks (units)
/ Cargo traffic per sector
roro 29% 12,548,641
containers 47% 20,317,265
liquid bulk 18% 7,695,335
dry bulk 4% 1,622,969
other 3% 1,359,618
total 43,543,828
ANNUAL REPORT 2012 26–27
/ New cars (units)
2,200,000
2,000,000
1,800,000
1,600,000
1,400,000
1,200,000
1,000,000
800,000
600,000
400,000
200,000
0
1,6
02
,26
4
1,7
36
,29
8
1,7
47
,33
4
10 11 12
1,0
31
,11
7
00
1,2
53
,56
3
01
1,3
75
,84
9
02
1,5
77
,61
8
03
1,7
10
,48
9
04
1,7
34
,71
4
05
1,9
33
,91
0
06
2,2
08
,90
6
07
1,2
86
,12
0
2,1
26
,14
3
0908
CONTAINERS TEUS
2,500,000
2,400,000
2,300,000
2,200,000
2,000,000
1,800,000
1,600,000
1,400,000
1,200,000
1,000,000
800,000
600,000
400,000
200,000
0
99
7,6
34
1,6
53
,49
3
06
85
1,1
58
1,4
07
,93
3
05
72
0,4
40
1,1
96
,75
5
04
61
0,8
37
1,0
12
,67
2
03
58
4,2
21
95
8,9
42
02
53
9,5
04
87
5,9
26
01
62
6,2
15
96
5,3
45
00
56
8,7
56
85
0,1
64
99
53
0,3
47
77
6,3
57
98
1,5
03
,06
9
1,3
13
,91
2
1,1
52
,73
1
2,4
99
,75
6
2,2
06
,68
1
1,9
53
,17
0
10 11 12
1,3
06
,55
6
1,4
11
,20
1
2,2
09
,71
5
2,3
28
,19
8
08 09
1,1
99
,23
02
,02
0,7
23
07
/ Container traffic (units)
ANNUAL REPORT 2012 28–29
/ Financial summary
During the financial year a total of € 34 million was
invested compared with 33.6 million the previous year.
This applies in particular to bringing the container ter-
minal quays into line with the new specifications for
container vessels and the construction of a second jetty
for the LNG terminal.
The programme is to be continued in the following years.
The preparatory work for the SHIP project is being con-
tinued.
The outcome of this investment and adding the result
produces a balance sheet total of € 371 million. The fi-
nancial fixed assets include a new equity investment:
Transportzone Zeebrugge nv (TZZ) with a view to its
extension.
The equity has been further consolidated thanks to add-
ing the result to the reserves.
The operational result is weaker than last year.
The total amount of income is higher than in 2012 de-
spite the fall in income from tonnage duties and ware-
house renting. In the case of the concessions no further
plots were introduced. Higher revenue was generated via
intermediary services and the claims invoiced.
The operational costs have risen sharply due to higher
depreciations, higher staff costs, higher energy costs
and more maintenance and repairs.
The financial result is primarily affected by the use of
capital grants and higher returns on capital investments.
The extraordinary income is mainly affected by the ap-
plication of contractually agreed payments in the light
of the volumes of traffic.
€ 955,369.48 to the statutory reserve
€ 18,152,020.03 to the various reserves
€ 19,107,389.51
We hereby seek approval for the statements
submitted and the granting of discharge to the
directors and auditor pursuant to the exercise of their
mandates.
The company has not developed any activities in the
area of research and development.
Since the closure of the financial year, no significant
events have occurred that could have an impact
on the financial statements, nor were there any
circumstances, risks or uncertainties during the
financial year 2012 that could have an impact on the
accuracy of the financial results and that could have
a significant impact on the future development of the
company.
The necessary controls were carried out with respect
to prices, credits, liquidity and cash flows. The
company is not involved in any hedging activities.
financial survey (eur) 2012 2011
tangible fixed assets 296,072,719.62 277,158,919.14
financial fixed assets 2,200,618.92 2,251,831.42
current assets 72,754,349.77 72,502,082.69
total assets 371,027,688.31 351,912,833.25
equity 338,620,394.33 318,497,217.20
provisions 530,234.56 700,028.23
financial debts 15,709.97 25,794.75
other debts 31,861,349.45 32,689,793.07
total liabilities 371,027,688.31 351,912,833.25
operating results 12,657,879.33 14,761,914.13
financial results 6,195,285.60 5,738,082.19
exceptional results 362,281.13 -21,451.61
taxes -108,056.55 -60,710.87
total result 19,107,389.51 20,417,833.84
cash flow 28,375,343.98 29,121,455.25
turnover 64,268,079.89 63,526,932.45
6ENVIRONMENT
ANNUAL REPORT 2012
In 2012 the port of Zeebrugge once again turned the
spotlight on nature and environment. There are several
initiatives that deserve a special mention.
The “Livable Port” project, launched in 2009 in coope-
ration with the provincial authority of West Flanders,
the city of Bruges, the municipality of Knokke-Heist
and the Flemish Land Agency, has drawn to a close
and has been followed up by the “Livable Port Mark
2” project. Both projects enjoyed the support of the
ERDF programme. The follow-up project included the
“Zeebrugge Open” communication platform and the
creation of a number of cycle routes.
The creation of a buffer zone for the Zwankendamme
population centre is set to be continued via the land-
use project “Mobiliteitsas Gent-Zeebrugge” overseen
by the Flemish Land Agency. The land-use project will
also cover a development scheme to create a buffer
zone for the Dudzele population centre in the light of
the A11 motorway (missing link) to be constructed
between the Blauwe Toren and Westkapelle/Hoeke.
In preparation to the stricter emission standards (due
to be applied as from 2015) to seagoing shipping in
the SECA (Sulphur Emission Control Area) a study is
being conducted on the availability of LNG as a ma-
ritime fuel in Flemish seaports. Commissioned by the
ports of Antwerp, Ghent and Zeebrugge, the Flemish
Ministry of Mobility and Public Works and Fluxys, the
study is set to form the basis for further initiatives to
make LNG available as an environment-friendly mari-
time fuel in the port of Zeebrugge. When LNG is used
as a maritime fuel, fine particles emissions can be cut
by 98% and CO2 emissions by 20 to 25%, whereas
sulphur emissions are completely eradicated.
To conclude, and by way of an annual tradition, allow
us to quote the number of breeding pairs of terns in
and round the tern island in the outer port and the Bay
of Heist. The 2012 breeding season was once again
disrupted by ground predators reaching the tern island
via the breakwaters where the fences were smashed
by the force of the water. During the breeding season
fresh trails of ground predators were discovered almost
every day, thus explaining the continuing low numbers
of breeding pairs on the tern island 2012 (number of
bp in 2011): little tern 85 bp (74) on the tern island and
the Bay of Heist together, common tern 854 bp (1350),
sandwich tern 1 (36)*. A lot of nests were also preyed
upon so that no juvenile birds left the nests. During the
course of the winter 2012-2013 the fences are due to
be repaired and the tern island extended.
(* Source: Nature and Forest Research Institute)
30–31
7SECURITY
1:23 AM
ANNUAL REPORT 2012
Huge efforts were made during the year to enhance
port security as much as possible. A review was made
of parts of the emergency plans and drills were carried
out towards this end with other public authorities. Ac-
tion was taken to provide customers with information
about all kinds of safety risks.
On the security front, the 29 port facilities in the port of
Zeebrugge are still on track.
Cooperation between the port facilities and the local
committee (port authority, maritime police, local police
Zeebrugge, State security, customs, navy) is running
smoothly. A few new members of the local committee
got settled in. Further action has been taken to organise
major security exercises.
The economic situation and the lower number of inci-
dents cause some port facilities to pay less attention to
maritime security, despite the need to focus properly on
developing and delivering security exercises.
The action taken on this front includes the production of
a European security exercise guide featuring exemplary
exercises and explanations. The guide can be downloa-
ded from the website.
An “awareness” course has been developed to ensure a
basic knowledge about ISPS (International Ship and Port
facility Security), and maritime security is readily con-
veyed to port employees. This “awareness” e-learning
course has been developed by a number of Port Facility
Security Officers and a harbour master. Employees use
a login and password to access the short training sessi-
on, absorbing the facts at their own pace and whenever
they want. Employees passing the test are awarded a
certificate as confirmation. A French and English version
is also available.
Work has now been completed on drafting a specialised
course on “port surveillance”, especially designed for
security guards. The course will be available halfway
through 2013 in order to help security guards become
acquainted with the specific port environment.
European Commission officials made an inspection of
the maritime security and the ISPS of a number of faci-
lities during the year. The National Maritime Security
Authority followed suit. The inspections went well with
only a few minor points for attention that can be quickly
remedied.
A number of companies have obtained AEO (Authorized
Economic Operator) status and successfully completed
the C-TPAT (Customs, Trade Partnership Against Ter-
rorism) recertification process.
The port is making every effort to ensure the execu-
tion and maintenance of maritime security is as easy
as possible by sharing continuously information and
knowledge.
32–33
8WORKS AND EQUIPMENT
ANNUAL REPORT 2012
/ Works carried out by order of the Flemish Region
1. The tern island in the eastern part of the outer
port was further expanded.
2. Further repairs were made to the banks of the
Connection dock in the inner port.
3. The MER project concerning the Strategic Har-
bour Infrastructure Project (SHIP) was continued.
Studies for the soil investigation, environmental
health research, and measuring the terrain have
been completed. Stability studies focused on the
quay walls and the lock are now underway.
4. Works to put dry and repair lock gate 3 of the
P. Vandamme lock were continued.
5. Works to put dry and repair lock gate 2 of the
P. Vandamme lock were put out to tender.
6. Works on renovating the fenders in the
P. Vandamme lock were put out to tender.
7. Works on renovating the electromechanical
equipment for the lock are in progress. The hy-
draulic equipment for the road bridges over the
P. Vandamme lock has been renovated.
8. Works to compensate for environmental damage
by way of further expansions in the southern inner
port were continued.
9. Further renovation works to the Visart lock were
carried out.
10. Miscellaneous types of maintenance works to the
breakwaters in the outer port were carried out.
11. Green maintenance works were carried out in vari-
ous parts of the port area.
12. Works for the internal port connection road be-
tween the eastern inner port and the Minerva
square have been completed.
13. Works have been continued on the renovation of
the 4th and 6th floor of the P. Vandamme House,
for the use of the port coordination centre.
14. A new water removal system for the Dudzeelse
Polder below the southern port road has been
completed.
15. Works on the dynamic traffic signs at the
P. Vandamme lock have commenced.
34–35
/ Works carried out by order of the federal authority
1. The “Bocht Ter Doest” rail link and a new rail link
between the Pelikaan and Ramskapelle sets of
tracks have been brought into service.
/ Works carried out by order of MBZ NV with financial grants from the Flemish Region
1 WORKS IN THE OUTER PORT
1.1 Works for building a second landing stage in the
LNG dock are being continued.
Contractor: MBG nv
Amount: € 10,863,600.28 (excl. VAT)
1.2 Works to finish the southern quay wall (262 m)
and the landside crane beam (386 m) of the Albert
II dock in the western port are being continued.
Contractor: THV Herbosch-Kiere – Antwerpse
Bouwwerken
Amount: € 16,456,354.28 (excl. VAT)
1.3 Works on deepening the eastern quay wall of the
western peninsula (CHZ quay) are being continued.
Contractor: THV Depret – Besix
Amount: € 32,512,067.92 (excl. VAT)
1.4 Works on dredging the Albert II dock and filling in
the CarFerryTerminal dock have been put out to
tender.
Contractor: THV Noordzee & Kust
Amount: € 8,503,710 (excl. VAT )
2 WORKS IN THE INNER PORT
2.1 Works on completing roads and bicycle paths in
the Maritime Logistic Zone in the southern inner
port have been continued.
Contractor: Verhelst nv
Amount: € 2,473,990.59 (excl. VAT)
2.2 Compensation works in order to release birds di-
rective areas were executed (Vlissegem, Eendekooi
Ter Doest, Dudzeelse Polder, Kwetshage).
ANNUAL REPORT 2012
/ Works carried out by order of MBZ NV
1 Maintenance works involving various items of equip-
ment and state-owned property were executed.
2 Soil surveys have been carried out in compliance
with the procedures provided for in the soil reme-
diation decree.
3 Renovation works on roads and quay surfacing
were carried out.
4 Major maintenance works were carried out on the
lock doors of the P. Vandamme lock.
5 Various items of new equipment were installed in
the context of the ISPS regulations.
6 Dredging works and soundings were carried out at
the commercial mooring places as a result of an
agreement concluded with THV Noordzee & Kust.
7 Adjustments were made to various roro jetties.
8 Works for rerouting the L. Coiseaukaai are being
carried out by the firm Aswebo nv.
9 Renovation works have been carried out at the
Port house “De Caese” in the historical centre of
Bruges.
10 Reinforcement and renovation works involving
surfacing on the breakwater at the P&O Ferries
terminal were executed.
11 A design competition for a cruise terminal build-
ing was organised and won by Salens Architecten
from Bruges.
12 A public railway crossing in the western outer port
has been established by the firm Verhelst nv.
13 Works on building a shed next to the P. Vandamme
House have been started by the firm Beeuwsaert
Construct.
36–37
The works for the deepening of the eastern
quay of the western peninsula (CHZ).
/ Works carried out by the private sector
1 Continuing safety works for various port custom-
ers for the purpose of obtaining an ISPS-certified
terminal were executed.
2 Works on remediating the site of the former cokes
plant, at the request of OVAM, have been contin-
ued.
3 C.Ro Ports Zeebrugge laid additional surfacing at
the Britannia dock.
4 Fluxys LNG terminal made further extensions to
its terminal (including the OR project at the LNG
terminal)
5 Jan De Nul created footings in the southern inner
port for a wind farm.
6 ICO carried out further surfacing works in the inner
port .
7 Huktra Transport invested in a new workplace for
tank containers and site surfacing.
8 De Spieghelaere built a new shed on the east bank
of the Baudouin canal.
9 Total refurbished its installations at the Groot
Handels dok in Bruges.
10 Diamur & Geldof brought their new quay wall
along the Baudouin canal into service.
11 An additional covered depot was created by
Tomar.
12 The warehouse capacity was extended by Beveco.
13 De Maecker & Van Haecke invested in new ware-
houses at the Krakeleweg.
ANNUAL REPORT 2012
/ Forthcoming works
1 A 210 m extension of the northern side of Albert II
dock will be put out to tender.
2 The sites at the back of the Bastogne quay will
be provided with additional surfacing and brought
into service.
3 The SHIP project is being continued.
4 Further shipping berths are to be created in the
southern inner port .
5 An additional berth and sites at the CarFerryTer-
minal will be created.
6 The Maritime Logistic Zone is to be extended.
38–39
Jacques Saadé, top-ranking official of CMA CGM, christens in Zeebrugge the m/s CMA CGM
Marco Polo, the largest container carrier in the world.
9EMPLOYMENT IN THE PORT
ANNUAL REPORT 2012
There are 400 companies active in the Bruges-Zee-
brugge port area. According to figures published by
the National Bank of Belgium for 2011 the companies
in the port area created a direct added value of €966
million. Nearly 10,000 people are employed directly in
the Bruges-Zeebrugge port area and the same number
of people are employed indirectly.
As the figures from the National Bank of Belgium
study are published with a delay of 18 months,
MBZ conducts its own employment survey every six
months among the most representative companies.
This shows that employment in the Zeebrugge port
area increased by 1%.
The dockworkers are the most representative of those
employed in the port area. The general contingent
comprised 1,712 dockworkers, of whom 1,485 were
effectives and 227 non-effectives. There were 310
logistics workers, 29 professionals and 35 casual
dockworkers.
The number of effectives as a proportion of the gen-
eral contingent declined in 2012 by 14 people from
1,499 to 1,485, showing a 0.93% fall from early 2012.
The number of tasks fell by 4.56% from 275,979 to
263,385 as a result of a lower level of activities.
In response to a request by representatives of both
sides of business, an investigation was made into the
possibility of merging the two joint sub-committees
for Zeebrugge-Bruges and Ostend-Nieuwpoort. Other
lines of inquiry included the creation of a new joint
committee or sub-committee. It was finally decided
not to make any changes to the activities of the two
joint sub-committees.
Various company level collective agreements were con-
cluded mainly applying to logistics port labour.
A great deal of attention, investments and consulta-
tions relate to the safety and welfare of the dockwork-
ers. For example, all the dockworkers in the general
contingent were issued with a pocket guide called the
“port expert”, featuring guidelines to do with fire pre-
vention, the IMDG (International Maritime Dangerous
Goods Code), hazard labels, RoRo hand signals, claim
codes, slinging gear, protective clothing and occupa-
tional accident procedures.
40–41
The works for the understructure of the second jetty for liquefied
natural gas in the outer port.
ANNUAL REPORT 2012
By 31 December 2012 the Zeebrugge port authority
counted 139 employees. 8 people retired and 8 new-
comers were appointed with open-ended contracts.
9 employees obtained a marine telephone certificate in
2012. 3 employees were awarded a confidential coun-
sellor training certificate. 109 employees obtained the
ISPS Awareness certificate.
2 June 2012 was the date of the first port triathlon,
organised by the port authority in partnership with Tri-
athlon Bruges and the city of Bruges. On 16 June 2012
the port authority once again took part in Triathlon
Bruges with 36 employees.
On 26 October 2012 the staff paid a visit to the
Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics terminal and C.Ro
Ports Zeebrugge as part of a teambuilding activity.
A staff satisfaction survey was conducted in 2012
amongst MBZ employees under the title of content@
mbz.be. A comprehensive review was subsequently
made of the personnel policy.
The outcome was that the port authority announced
on 6 December 2012 that the personnel policy should
be assigned the following task:
“MBZ is keen to be a dynamic employer applying an
innovative personnel policy, thereby creating a work-
ing environment conducive to commitment, initiative
and a sense of responsibility.” The five action plans
that have been developed are due to be rolled out in
the coming years.
42–43
/ Port labour
dockworkers total shifts
1.4001.200 1.600 1.8001.0008006004002000
280,000240,000200,000160,000120,000 320,000 360,00080,00040,0000
53094,417
679105,286
748131,321
891161,321
862154,226
887163,620
866185,175
858177,536
951184,041
955156,436
876145,635
844156,804
888173,843
1.045203,922
1.058201,744
1.032195,174
1.024192,621
1.048212,358
1.152241,465
1.330262,969
1.487296,809
1.649
1.560
1.517
1.499
1.469
295,319
234,786
281,385
275,979
263,385
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
00
01
02
03
04
05
06
08
09
10
11
12
07
ANNUAL REPORT 2012 44–45
Maritime navigation Inland navigation
number of ships
tonnage (*) unloaded loaded total number of ships
cargo in tonnes
1965 2,280 3,761,257 1,638,333 568,470 2,206,803 1,918 718,889
1970 4,691 18,765,107 8,332,853 1,177,176 9,510,029 1,776 591,787
1975 7,452 35,987,300 9,465,970 2,639,329 12,105,299 1,244 414,508
1980 9,550 48,212,149 10,087,862 4,101,620 14,189,482 1,856 829,932
1985 9,956 42,310,502 7,351,794 6,813,874 14,165,668 1,140 468,822
1990 11,321 66,765,891 19,488,662 10,860,491 30,349,153 1,295 519,509
1991 11,229 66,465,833 19,625,631 11,227,178 30,852,810 1,168 558,507
1992 10,457 72,246,177 21,509,575 11,931,812 33,441,387 1,162 524,075
1993 10,694 71,910,970 18,629,295 12,807,229 31,436,524 1,127 407,078
1994 10,549 72,889,544 20,106,673 12,779,543 32,886,216 1,380 596,777
1995 10,396 73,542,362 18,650,656 11,922,715 30,573,371 956 565,247
1996 9,571 69,699,000 17,185,519 11,313,758 28,499,278 729 360,834
1997 10,259 107,749,000 18,461,946 13,945,816 32,407,762 641 319,483
1998 10,188 120,360,000 18,430,666 14,852,769 33,283,435 574 316,383
1999 10,982 144,600,000 19,438,715 16,001,688 35,440,403 911 589,375
2000 10,692 163,140,000 19,408,943 16,065,650 35,474,593 944 548,903
2001 10,136 163,937,000 16,771,352 15,308,720 32,080,072 931 461,169
2002 9,989 169,196,000 17,242,316 15,692,685 32,935,001 873 457,345
2003 8,128 137,450,000 15,977,729 14,592,245 30,569,974 953 507,672
2004 7,847 146,849,519 16,162,977 15,631,447 31,794,424 1,152 593,040
2005 8,555 158,999,498 17,145,457 17,445,157 34,590,614 1,395 747,200
2006 8,756 168,140,632 20,049,286 19,423,491 39,472,777 1,726 948,659
2007 9,449 196,350,557 20,799,199 21,278,037 42,077,236 1,503 808,248
2008 9,405 194,135,326 20,914,999 21,109,419 42,024,418 1,432 846,187
2009 8,073 189,875,446 23,137,401 21,729,371 44,866,772 1,245 602,984
2010 8,863 203,205,411 24,916,651 24,682,947 49,599,598 1,423 625,951
2011 8,351 205,142,769 23,670,520 23,286,853 46,957,373 1,485 695,254
2012 7,797 195,432,373 20,807,521 22,736,307 43,543,828 1,433 633,045
/ General navigationevolution of the maritime and inland navigation since 1965
(*) until 1966 in B.N.T.; since 1965 in G.R.T.; since 1985 in G.R.T. or G.T. and in G.T. as of 1997
N34
N31
N49
N376
N34
Planned Port Area
Existing waterways or docks
Waterways or docks planned or under construction
Residential areas
30 Toyota Terminal31 DFDS Seaways32 PSA Zeebrugge - Wielingen Terminal33 P&O Ferries Terminal34 C.Ro Ports Zeebrugge (Swedish Quay)35 C.Ro Ports Zeebrugge (Hermes Quay-Brittannia dock-Minerva square)36 C.Ro Ports Zeebrugge (Canada terminal)37 Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics Zeebrugge38 International Car Operators (ICO)39 International Car Operators (ICO)40 Hanzeterminal (ICO)
01"Zand" access channel02 Wielingen dock03 Albert II dock04 Brittannia dock05 Pierre Vandamme lock06 Connection dock07 Northern Inlet dock08 Southern Canal dock09 Visart lock10 Baudouin canal11 Inland waterways12 Prince Philip dock13 Old Ferry dock14 Leopold canal15 Schipdonk canal
21 Western breakwater22 Eastern breakwater23 L.N.G.-dam24 Leopold II-dam25 Naval base26 Border inspection post
65 L.N.G. terminal (Fluxys)66 Zeepipe-terminal (Gassco)67 Interconnector-terminal (Interconnector Baczee)68 Peakshaving installation (Fluxys)69 Regasification installation (Hoppe services)
75 Transportzone Zeebrugge (TTZ)76 Bridgestone Logistics Europe77 Maritime Logistic Zone (MLZ)78 Seabridge Logistics
51 Breakbulk Terminal (ZBT)52 Tate & Lyle Molasses 53 Nieuwpoortse Handelsmaatschappij 54 Alzagri55 Seaport Shipping & Trading56 Minne Port Services57 Hanson58 Borlix59 Decloedt60 Demaecker & Van Haecke61 Diamur62 Geldof
45 APM Terminals Zeebrugge46 PSA Zeebrugge - Container Handling Zeebrugge CHZ47 PSA Zeebrugge - Zeebrugge International Port ZIP48 CdMC
CONTAINER HANDLING
80 Vlaamse Visveiling 81 Tropicana82 B.N.F.W. Fruitterminal (Sea-Invest)83 Flanders Cold Center (Sea-Invest)
BREAKBULK HANDLING
GAS
DISTRIBUTION
EUROPEAN FOOD CENTER
Port Area
Roads
Railways
Natural gas pipeline
Wind turbines
Stern Island
Radar tower
Roro installations
ROLL-ON/ROLL-OFF HANDLING
N34
N31
N49
N376
N34
Lissewege
Dudzele
Koolkerke
Brugge
dammeZwanken-
Ramskapelle
Zeebrugge
Knokke-Heist35
14
05
02
46
45
3231
24
21
03
47
2534
33
80
75
67
51
13
1257 58
09
07
83
39
66
30
36
15
08
82
06
06
35
3504
23
22
76
77
37
53
54
81
55 5556
56
52
11
10
68
65
69
10
01
38
32
48
26
78
77
33
57
84
40
38
40
59
60
61
62
BREAKBULKBEHANDELING
Geplande havenzone
Bestaande waterwegen of dokken
Waterwegen en dokken in uitvoering of gepland
Havenzone
01 Pas van het Zand02 Wielingendok03 Albert II-dok04 Brittanniadok05 Pierre Vandammesluis06 Verbindingsdok07 Noordelijk Insteekdok08 Zuidelijk Kanaaldok09 Visartsluis10 Boudewijnkanaal + verbreding11 Ontworpen binnenvaartverbinding12 Prins Filipsdok13 Oud-Ferrydok14 Leopoldkanaal 15 Schipdonkkanaal
21 Westdam22 Oostdam23 L.N.G.-dam24 Leopold II-dam25 Marinebasis26 Grensinspectiepost (GIP)
ROLL-ON/ROLL-OFF BEHANDELING
30 Toyota Terminal31 DFDS Seaways32 PSA Zeebrugge - Wielingen Terminal33 P&O Ferries Terminal34 C.Ro Ports Zeebrugge (Zweedse Kaai)35 C.Ro Ports Zeebrugge (Hermeskaai - Brittanniadok - Minervaplein)36 C.Ro Ports Zeebrugge (Canadakaai)37 Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics Zeebrugge38 International Car Operators (ICO)39 International Car Operators (ICO)40 Hanzeterminal Zeebrugge (ICO)
CONTAINERBEHANDELING
45 APM Terminals Zeebrugge46 PSA Zeebrugge - Container Handling Zeebrugge (CHZ)47 PSA Zeebrugge - Zeebrugge International Port (ZIP)48 CdmC
51 Zeebrugge Breakbulk Terminal (ZBT)52 Tate & Lyle Molasses53 Nieuwpoortse Handelsmaatschappij (zand- en grindterminal)54 Alzagri (zand- en grindterminal)55 Seaport Shipping & Trading56 Minne Port Services57 Hanson (zand- en grindterminal)58 Borlix (graanterminal)59 Decloedt Baggerwerken60 Demaecker & Van Haecke61 Diamur62 Geldof
GAS
65 L.N.G.-terminal (Fluxys)66 Zeepipe-terminal (Gassco)67 Interconnector-terminal (Interconnector Baczee)68 Piekbesnoeiingsinstallatie (Fluxys)69 Ontgassingsinstallatie (Euroservices)
DISTRIBUTIE
75 Transportzone Zeebrugge (TZZ)76 Bridgestone Logistics Europe77 Maritieme Logistieke Zone (MLZ)78 Seabridge Logistics
80 Vlaamse Visveiling81 Tropicana82 B.N.F.W. Fruitterminal (Sea-Invest)83 Flanders Cold Center (Sea-Invest)84 Fruitterminal (Sea-Invest)
EUROPEAN FOOD CENTER
Woonzones
Wegenis
Spoorwegen
Aardgaspijpleiding
Windturbines
Sterneneiland
Radartoren
Steigers
/ Port map
ANNUAL REPORT 2012 46–47
/ Addresses
Port of Zeebrugge
Maatschappij van de Brugse
Zeevaartinrichtingen nv (M.B.Z.)
P. Vandammehuis
Isabellalaan 1
8380 Zeebrugge
Tel. (0)50 54 32 11
Port House “De Caese”
Hoogstraat 4 - 8000 Brugge
Tel. (0)496 51 93 70
Find us on:
www.portofzeebrugge.be
/ Contents
Organisation chart 2
Report by the Board of Directors to the General Meeting
of Shareholders of 24 april 2013 6
Comments on the figures 10
Major developments 14
Promotional initiatives and trade missions 21
Navigation 22
General breakdown 23
Composition of freight 24
Cargo traffic by continent 24
Modal split of maritime traffic 25
Inland navigation 25
Estuary trade 25
Cargo traffic per sector 26
Laden trucks 26
New cars 27
Container traffic 28
Financial survey 29
Environment 30
Security 32
Works and equipment 34
Employment in the port 40
Port labour 44
General navigation 45
Port map 46
Addresses 47
Design d-artagnan, Brugge
Port map MBZ
Printing Drukkerij De Windroos, Beernem
Photographs Henderyckx Luchtfotografie, Izegem – Misjel Decleer, Brugge
Dirk Neyts, Zeebrugge – Henk Claeys, Zeebrugge
Mike Louagie, Gent – Fluxys – Ivan Heytens & Piet Vandenkerkhove, Port of Zeebrugge
The port authority respects the environment. This annual report was printed on FSC paper / CU-COC-809718-EF.
Port of Zeebrugge | MBZ nv
P. Vandammehuis, Isabellalaan 1
8380 Zeebrugge, Belgium
T +32 (0)50 54 32 11
F +32 (0)50 54 32 24
www.portofzeebrugge.be
_
CITY OF BRUGES