Antwerp Port offers consultancy services to Indian ports

The Antwerp Port Authority of Belgium has offered its consultancy services to Indian ports for improving their inland waterways.
"In India, the ports are not well connected to the hinterland by inland waterways. In this area we can offer consultancy services to Indian ports," said Chief Commercial Officer of Antwerp Port Authority Luc Arnouts here today.
He was addressing a press conference where Ambassador of Belgium to India Jan Luykx was also present.
"Antwerp Port has gained great expertise in improving inland waterways. More than 30 per cent of its cargoes reach Antwerp port through such waterways, where logistics cost is cheap," Arnouts added.

He said a delegation from Belgium, led by its Ambassador to India, visited the Visakhapatnam Port Trust (VPT) and its facilities here.
Arnouts said he was impressed with the facilities at the port and added in future Antwerp Port and VPT would cooperate to forge close ties.
Stating that relations between India and Belgium were excellent, Luykx said his country was first to recognise India after its independence.
He said Belgium wanted to improve trade ties with India, especially with the States located on the east coast.