Henk de Haas, Chairman of Promotion Council North Sea Port

Meet, connect, promote

Welcome

For the promotion council, 2020 truly was a new start. More than 25 years ago, the Zeeland Port Promotion Council was founded with the purpose to connect the companies in the port and to represent and promote the Zeeland port area. With the merger of Port of Ghent and Zeeland Seaports into North Sea Port, we soon became aware of the fact that promoting only half a port area brought us in an awkward split. So things had to change.

Our first step, together with North Sea Port, was to make PortNews a cross border platform for all companies in the port. A second step was to give companies located in the Ghent part of the port the chance to become participant of the council as well. Last year, as a result of this, we could welcome our first Ghent based participant Stukwerkers that was soon followed by Transuniverse. At the end of last year, the ZPPC board decided to take a next final step, which resulted in the new Promotion Council North Sea Port. This new name resembles our extended scope and mission: strengthening the position of North Sea Port and the companies in its port area.

Last year, with more than 20 applications, the council grew to 150 participants. As Promotion Council North Sea Port, we of course aim for the continuation of this growth. Speaking of growth, with a transhipment of 71 million tonnes in 2019, North Sea Port has registered a new record. This is a marvellous result of all efforts from the many logistics and industrial companies in the port area, as well as from the Port Authority.

Looking at 2020, the expectations are slightly modest because of Brexit, shrinking economic growth, and anticipated trade wars. No matter how, we will continue

to promote the importance of cooperation and consultation as one of the instruments to support the international competitive power of our port. And of course, we will continue to inform you about the developments in the port through our magazine PortNews. Enjoy reading!

With kind regards,

Henk de Haas Chairman Promotion Council North Sea Port