Port of Antwerp acquires liquid asset

 The River Scheldt rises in the northern French village of Gouy, then flows 217 miles past, into Belgium, past Antwerp into the Netherlands and out into the North Sea.

   On Monday, the Antwerp Port Authority said it has acquired a half-interest in the source of the river and will henceforth be responsible for the source.   The port acquired its half-stake in the river, from of all things, the shipping journalists' association Espa. The other 50 percent is owned by the municipality of Gouy. They are joint members of the "Association Franco-Belge de la Source de L'Escaut" which is responsible for maintenance and restoration of the source.

   The port said Espa became half-owner of the source after it had been purchased by former journalist Jacques Rom.

   In recent years, however, the feeling grew among Espa members that co-ownership of the source of the Scheldt was not one of the core activities of a press association, and so Espa decided to transfer its share, the Antwerp Port Authority said. But it said Espa would continue to be involved in matters concerning the source. 

Source: Portnews