Colombo : The Sri Lanka Embassy in Belgium, in collaboration with the Port of Antwerp-Bruges International (PoABI), organised a two-day fact-finding visit for a delegation from the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) on June 23 and 24.
The initiative is aimed to enhance bilateral cooperation in the port and maritime sectors between Sri Lanka and Belgium.
The visit was part of an ongoing partnership dialogue initiated by the Embassy in mid-2024, intended to build stronger ties between the Colombo Port and the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, the second-largest port in Europe.
The SLPA delegation included Deputy Harbour Master (Trincomalee) T.K.G.L. Hemachandra, Sriyantha Arampath and H.B.A. Subhashini.
During their visit, the delegation held discussions with senior officials of PoABI and the Antwerp/Flanders Port Training Center (APEC). Talks also involved Luc Arnouts, Vice President of International Relations & Networks at the Antwerp-Bruges Port Authority. Both parties began preliminary discussions on a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote cooperation in areas such as information exchange, reciprocal visits, logistics, technical expertise sharing, investment collaboration and initiatives in port digitalisation and innovation.
The programme included site visits to key facilities, including the DP World Antwerp Gateway terminal where the delegation observed modern terminal automation operations and the CMB TECH Hydrogen Refueling Station in Antwerp.
The two-day programme offered the SLPA officials valuable insights into the operational and technological capabilities of the Port of Antwerp-Bruges.
The visit further strengthened relations and laid the groundwork for closer cooperation between the two ports in the future.
Among those who joined the meetings and visits were Achille Sobry, Associate Manager-Regional Lead Indian Subcontinent at PoABI; Ken Houtevelts, APEC Training Executive-Key Account Indian Subcontinent; Thavishya Mullegamgoda, Minister Commercial of the Sri Lanka Embassy and Monique De Decker-Deprez, Honorary Consul for Sri Lanka in Antwerp.