Antwerp ready to host ABTO Bulk Terminals 2024

In just six weeks, the international bulk terminals community will gather in Antwerp for the 8th Annual ABTO (Association of Bulk Terminal Operators) Bulk Terminals conference. From 23-24 October, industry experts will provide analysis and advice on a range of thought-provoking topics covering everything from geopolitical events to environmental improvements.

This year Bulk Terminals 2024 is being held in Antwerp at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Antwerp City Centre.

The Annual ABTO Bulk Terminals Conferences are designed for all those involved in the transportation, storage and handling of bulk commodities. As well as terminals and ports, ABTO welcomes equipment and service suppliers, professional advisors and academics to the conference.

Programme in brief

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.

ABTO’s 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 the 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.

Furthermore, Professor Mike Bradley, Director of The Wolfson Centre for Bulk Solids Handling Technology, University of Greenwich, will again take 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.

Support by the Port of Antwerp-Bruges

The event is supported by 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.

More information is available HERE