PSA Breakbulk launches first Project Cargo Ecosystem in the Port of Antwerp

19 April 2023 | PSA Breakbulk officially launched the Port of Antwerp’s first Project Cargo Ecosystem (PCE) in Belgium today. The opening event was attended by partners, clients, representatives of the Port of Antwerp-Bruges and other stakeholders.

Being the first of its kind in the Port of Antwerp, the PCE is a one-stop shop breakbulk terminal facility located behind the locks on the south side of Churchill Dock. It offers infrastructure, equipment and value-added services for industrial partners to load and unload, store, package, consolidate and build-up their high-end project cargo within one dedicated location.

One-stop shop    

Since the establishment of the joint venture between PSA, Haeger & Schmidt Logistics and Felbermayr in 2021, PSA Breakbulk has invested millions of Euros in repurposing the facility at the Churchill dock into a fully-equipped heavy cargo facility.

With direct tide-free access to the sea and the hinterland, the PCE offers the infrastructure, equipment and space to load, unload, store and handle all types of project cargo. The terminal features a quay length of 550 meters, a draught of 13 meters and a 140,000 m2 yard. Currently, it is equipped with Self-Propelled Modular Transporters (SPMTs) with up to 40 axle lines to move heavy and bulky cargo around.

A permanent heavy lift crane with a lifting capacity up to 750 tons was also recently installed, setting the record for having the highest quayside lifting capacity in the entire port.

With sustainability being a key priority, PSA Breakbulk has also invested in electrifying its equipment and installing a wind turbine, targeted to be operational by 2025.

Strategically located near the NextGen District, the PCE is well-positioned to facilitate cargo flows requiring turnkey operations for the circular business in this area and to serve as marshalling and lay down areas for the petrochemical cluster in Antwerp. This investment demonstrates PSA’s commitment to develop world-class port ecosystems and deliver innovative cargo solutions to better cater to the needs of cargo stakeholders.

Dennis Verbeeck, the General Manager of PSA Breakbulk explains: “We strongly believe in the added value of this Project Cargo Ecosystem for the industry in and around the Port of Antwerp and for the development of the Port and Flanders itself. By offering a one-stop shop concept, we make the entire process more transparent, visible and convenient for our customers.”

Heiko Brückner, CEO of Haeger & Schmidt Logistics says: "We are pleased to have been able to strengthen the project and heavy lift expertise at PSA Breakbulk since we established our joint venture two years ago. As result of the investments in specially equipped hauls and the Felbermayr heavy lift crane, we can now offer our customers a  one-stop-shop at the PSA Breakbulk Terminal. This is unique in Antwerp. Our joint venture partners’ complementary services enable us to design new integrated transport solutions under the label of the Project Cargo Ecosystem.“

Annick De Ridder, the Vice-Mayor of the City of Antwerp, responsible for the port and President of the (board of directors of the) Port of Antwerp-Bruges says: “With this very first Project Cargo Ecosystem in Antwerp PSA Breakbulk launches a very innovative one-stop shop breakbulk terminal facility. Strategically located near the NextGen District this PCE offers infrastructure, equipment and value-added services for industrial partners within one dedicated location. This innovative state-of-the-art project makes an important contribution to the main ambition of our port: sustainable growth.”

Name-giving ceremony

During the ceremony, PSA Breakbulk officially inaugurated its newly installed heavy lift crane at the PCE and revealed its new name “BIG FELB” after the joint venture partner Felbermayr that provided the crane. This name was selected from the many suggestions that guests made when registering for the event. Joris De Mondt, an operational supervisor at PSA Breakbulk, thought of the name and received a memento in appreciation.