The Port of Liege

[Mtricht]

The Port of Liège is Belgium’s premier inland port and the third in Europe. In 2009 it’s water, rail and highway global tonnage was 18,192,741 tons. This was down 3,614,480
from 2008, a 17% decrease, largely as a result of the temporary closure
of the hot steel line of Arcelor Mittal in Liège. But the global figure
hides important disparities because in sectors like steel, minerals,
iron and coal there are considerable market changes.

Other important cargos have progressed with waste projects going up 95% and agriculture up 64%. While the Port of Liège has definitely felt the
impact of the 2009 global crisis, particularly in the steel market,
this can be revitalized. The principal sectors that went down were
steel, metal products and construction materials. Petroleum remained
stable, and those that went up were, as we mentioned, waste products,
agricultural products, chemical products and wood.

Diverse merchandise went down 13% and this is a category which is containerized and went down from 27,000 to 24,000, 11%, on the water-rail route.
Transport of containers by rail, however, went up 14% from 8,200 to
7,200 as against 2008.

The yachting harbor did well, with an increase of 5% in passengers to 3,365 as against 2,673.

Prospects for 2010 are interesting because of the multi-modal platform coming to Liège Trilogiport, which represents an investment of EUR 45m in public
funds and EUR 115 in private investment. Private companies involved
include Euroports and Dubai Ports World, Deutsche Lagerhaus
Trilogiport/CETIM and Warehouses De Pauw.

Liège Trilogiport is part of a European development that has put Liège in the first place on the logistical stage. Liège is developing its strategy
as an extended gateway, an inland maritime port, and it employs 12,000
directly and 16,000 indirectly.

Check the website.

http://www.portdeliege.be/

Source: www.meuse-rhine-journal.com