Port of Antwerp strengthens ties with South Korean port city of Incheon

On Thursday 14 May the port of Antwerp will renew its 1996 friendship agreement with the South Korean port city of Incheon. The ceremony will take place as part of the royal trade mission to South Korea, which includes several representatives of the Antwerp port community. With the signature of the new agreement the respective port authorities will undertake to collaborate even more closely.

The royal mission to South Korea will take place from 10 to 15 May and will be led by crown prince Philip of Belgium. Port ambassador Frank Geerkens will form part of the delegation on behalf of Antwerp Port Authority, and will sign the new friendship agreement on Thursday, 14 May with Kim Jong-Tai, chairman of Incheon Port Authority. Under the terms of the new agreement the two ports will share know-how and promote each other’s services more actively.

Shipping trade between South Korea and Antwerp has been expanding rapidly in the past few years. In 2008 the volume rose by more than 50%, to 962,000 tonnes. Antwerp sends mainly containers and steel to Korea, while Incheon exports mainly oil, steel and cars, with the auto manufacturers Kia, Hyundai and Chevrolet sending cars from South Korea to Antwerp.

 
Source: Antwerp Port Authority