• 2 min de lectura
• 2 min de lectura
The Port of Antwerp-Bruges strengthened its trade relations with India during Prime Minister Bart De Wever's visit, within the framework of the Free Trade Agreement between India and the European Union.
India represents a significant growth market for the Port of Antwerp-Bruges. In 2025, the port handled 6.3 million tons of goods originating from or destined for India, making it the third most important trade partner for general cargo and the seventh for containers.
Through its subsidiaries, Port of Antwerp-Bruges International and APEC–Antwerp/Flanders Port Training Center, the Port of Antwerp-Bruges shares its expertise in areas such as port management, digitalization, nautical operations, and sustainability. Furthermore, it explores investment opportunities and contributes to the development of India's port and maritime sector through training and knowledge exchange.
William Demoor, Director of Customer Relations at the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, stated that "India has been a crucial trade partner for the Port of Antwerp-Bruges for many years, and there is still great potential. Thanks to our logistical and industrial clusters, our connectivity with the European hinterland, and our twenty-year presence in India, we have everything necessary to drive a significant part of that growth. We aspire to be the natural gateway to Europe for Indian companies and the nexus with one of the world's fastest-growing markets for European companies."
With the conclusion of negotiations in early 2026, the Free Trade Agreement between India and the EU offers new growth opportunities. Once the agreement comes into effect, import tariffs on a wide range of products will be reduced or eliminated, and the simplification of customs procedures will ensure smooth trade.
The European Commission estimates that exports of EU products to India—valued at nearly 49 billion euros in 2024—could double by 2032. The sectors that will benefit—including chemicals, pharmaceuticals, machinery, textiles, and food—are closely linked to the cargo flows and industrial clusters of the Port of Antwerp-Bruges.
The Port of Antwerp-Bruges aims to convert the opportunities offered by the free trade agreement into concrete business, investments, and alliances, further expanding its role as a logistical and industrial gateway between India and Europe. With this objective, it will return to India along with companies from the port sector from February 1 to 5, 2027, as part of a multi-sectoral trade mission.
