Welcome Address

Welcome to the Coastlink Conference 2022

As hosts of Coastlink 2022 I have the great pleasure on behalf of the Port of Antwerp-Bruges of welcoming you to the Port House, in the wonderful city of Antwerp. The building is designed by British-Iraqi architect Zaha Hadid counts as one of the main landmarks in the city skyline. The region of Flanders has a long and rich maritime history and since the Middle Ages both cargo and passengers have travelled by ship to and from the Flemish ports. Over the last five centuries in particular, the ports have developed and today the Port of Antwerp-Bruges is Europe’s second largest port, handling in excess of 280 million tonnes of cargo annually.

As one port operating across two locations, the Port of Antwerp-Bruges creates a unique synergy between maritime transport, logistics and industry and builds a crucial link in the global economy. The strategic location and extensive multimodal network by short sea, barge, rail, road, and pipeline ensures a critical role in the motorway of international supply chains. However, we are not complacent and therefore continuously adapt ourselves to the requirements of our customers, achieving better results, faster distribution, more intelligent logistics, smoother customs handling and greener activities.

We are building a digital network of integrated port systems and continue to focus on the port’s accessibility. We will become increasingly resilient through continual improvement and collaboration both with our port community and a wider network of stakeholders and partners. Standing still is not an option - we have to keep moving.

We are delighted to be working with Coastlink’s organisers, Mercator Media on this year’s conference which we hope will debate the challenges and opportunities affecting the short sea sector whilst enabling participants to discuss future innovation, economic and environmental considerations, and to develop partnerships and networks that will help in building a sustainable future.

We sincerely hope that you enjoy your time in Antwerp and find some time in your schedule to explore our beautiful city, eat in one of the many fine restaurants and to indulge in some of the world’s finest beers or chocolates (or both)!

Michiel Vermeiren

Maritime Business and Market Intelligence Manager, Port of Antwerp-Bruges

NICK LAMBERT

Co-founder and Director, NLA International

BIOGRAPHY

A master mariner and a committed proponent of the maritime users’ perspective, Rear Admiral Nick Lambert concluded a long naval operational career as the UK National Hydrographer in December 2012. He advises on a wide range of maritime issues including the growing potential of the blue economy concept, the importance of spatial data infrastructures and hydrography for maritime economies, the evolution of eNavigation and GNSS vulnerability, near or real time situational awareness (especially that derived from space based assets and applications), maritime connectivity and cyber security, human factors, and training and education in the maritime sector.

He has a particular interest in the Polar Regions and is also engaged in a variety of situational awareness, fisheries and aquaculture management, marine autonomous systems and vessel efficiency projects.