BULK TERMINALS ANTWERP 2024: 23-24 OCTOBER

The only event aimed at the entire bulk terminals industry

In just six week’s time, the international bulk terminals community will gather in Antwerp for the 8th Annual ABTO Bulk Terminals conference. In this highlight of the bulk handling calendar, industry experts will provide analysis and advice on a range of thought-provoking topics covering everything from geopolitical events to environmental improvements.

Bulk Terminals Antwerp’s full programme offers sound practical solutions to terminal operators for streamlining and increasing the profitability of operations, improving safety and ensuring environmental protection.

Our traditional sector-by-sector analysis of bulk markets is presided over by session chairman Rahul Sharan, Deputy Director – Bulk Research, Drewry, with a keynote on ‘Bulk markets vulnerability to wars and political disruptions’ from Dr Wouter Jacobs, Executive and Academic Director Erasmus Commodity & Trade Centre, Erasmus University Rotterdam.

ABTO CEO Simon Gutteridge says: “We have addressed the effects of the war in Ukraine, China’s weaponisation of trade and Houthi attacks on shipping in the Red Sea, both in Bulk Terminals International magazine and at our previous conferences. Dr Jacobs will be drawing these strands together in his not-to-be-missed session.”

Further highlights include an in-depth exploration of circular economies by our case studies panel, which will see specialists including Jessica Gerritsen, Port of Antwerp-Bruges Expert Circular Economy discuss the financial as well as environmental benefits of a circular approach. Garry O’Malley, Chairman of the ABTO Technical Committee and Operations Director at Teesworks, will moderate the panel.

A packed Environment session will see discussions from speakers including Karin Smit-Jacobs, Director EU Transport and Energy, Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions (CPMR) on green port strategies, as well as an in-depth look at the impact of technology on sustainability. Delegates can share their environmental journey in what promises to be a lively interactive session.

As always, the cyber security, safety and risk session will put the very latest protective measures in the spotlight, with advice from experts including Richard Steele, Head of ICHCA International.

We are delighted to welcome back Professor Mike Bradley, Director of The Wolfson Centre for Bulk Solids Handling Technology, University of Greenwich, who again takes up the role of Conference Chairman. The Wolfson Centre has just celebrated 50 years of excellence in bulk solids handling, providing cost-effective solutions to real life industrial problems.

Bulk Terminals Antwerp will include our ever-popular terminal visit, this year to Euroports’ Fertilisers and Minerals Terminal. And no conference in Antwerp would be the same without the opportunity to sample Belgium's famous artisanal beers, so we are looking forward to our reception at the De Koninck Antwerp City Brewery, which promises plenty of opportunities for networking.

We are very grateful for the support of the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, the port authority that manages the ports of Antwerp and Bruges (Zeebrugge) since their merger in 2022.

The second biggest port in Europe with an overall throughput of 271 million tonnes per year, the Port of Antwerp-Bruges is a critical hub in worldwide trade and industry, receiving containers, breakbulk, passengers, rolling stock and liquid, as well as dry bulk. With terminals equipped to receive capesize or panamax ships, the Port of Antwerp-Bruges handles a wide variety both major and minor of dry bulk products, such as energy bulk, minerals, grain, fertilisers and scrap – all with multimodal access.