Euroports reinforces European market position with multi-million investment

2017-06-28

The international Euroports group has given a massive boost to its sugar terminal in the port of Antwerp in order to handle the expected surge in exports of European beet sugar as a result of the new EU measures abolishing quotas on this product as of 1 October 2017.

Euroports is currently investing 30 million euros to expand the existing handling capacity and to further raise the processing quality of the products.

The goods handling company will upgrade its existing warehouses and invest further in safety and quality, by among other things obtaining the coveted IFS certification. In addition Euroports has invested in taking weekly delivery of more than 20 full train loads, and has more than doubled the number of truck loading and unloading bays. This will all result in faster turnaround of goods on the terminal.

The Euroports sugar facilities in the port of Antwerp form the largest bulk sugar terminal in Europe, with a storage capacity of 260,000 tonnes. The trimodal terminal is accessible to Panamax ships and is equipped for the storage, handling and bagging of sugar in every possible way. The site also has a specialised laboratory for carrying out quality control.

 

 

‘With this investment Euroports confirms its confidence in the future of the European sugar industry. It will enable us to meet the expectations of our customers following the liberalisation of the sugar market later this year.’

Charles Menkhorst, Group CEO Euroports

 

 

Liberalisation of the European sugar market

This situation will certainly change with the sugar campaign that is due to start in September, since these quotas have now been abolished or sharply reduced. The EU currently imports from 4 to 4.5 million tonnes annually, mainly raw cane sugar destined for refining. According to the latest forecasts this import situation will be reversed, leading to exports of 2.2 to 4 million tonnes of white crystallised beet sugar.

Antwerp hub

The great majority of the European sugar shipped via Antwerp goes to the traditional markets in West Africa and the Middle East. The main European sugar producing countries are France, Germany, Poland, the UK, the Netherlands and Belgium, in that order, together representing 80% of EU sugar production. When it comes to sugar exports Antwerp has a strong leadership position, not only for export shipments but also for handling and storage, a position it owes to the presence of a unique, specialist sugar terminal and the large number of departures, destinations and carriers.

Source: Antwerp Port Authority

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