ANTWERP: Port of Antwerp appoints representative for Austria and Hungary and aims to expand its links with Central and Eastern Europe.
Walter Holzhammer (49) is now reinforcing the international representative network of the Port of Antwerp . He will act on behalf of the Belgian Port in Austria and Hungary in future and continue to develop Antwerp’s links to these important hinterland regions. His appointment underlines the commitment by the Antwerp Port Authority to expand sustainable and efficient transport services to and from hinterland destinations in Central and Eastern Europe.
Luc Arnouts, Chief Commercial Officer, Antwerp Port Authority, says, “The countries of Austria and Hungary form a strategic interface to the markets of Southern, Central and Eastern Europe because of their geographical location. We’ve been able to gain an expert in the shape of Walter Holzhammer, who will communicate our particular location advantages in the market and therefore press ahead with the expansion of regular, fast scheduled services, particularly by rail.”
Rail manager will boost hinterland services
Walter Holzhammer has a reputation for being a distinguished expert for rail and sea traffic. The experienced logistics specialist has excellent network connections in both countries. His central task will be to connect Europe’s second-largest seaport with local companies, chambers of commerce, inland terminals and ports as well as other important market players. The port representative will also provide information about opportunities and potential for freight flows via Antwerp. The graduate Transport Manager has held senior positions at companies like Hapag Lloyd, UPS and GEFCO in the past.
“Connecting the Port of Antwerp to Austria and Hungary is ideal by any means of transport because of the relatively short distance involved. Using my expertise as a logistics specialist and the network of important market players in both countries, I plan to develop the multimodal links to hinterland destinations and therefore continue to reinforce the competitive position of the Port of Antwerp ,” says Holzhammer, announcing his plans.
Antwerp offers benefits for shippers in Austria and Eastern Europe
The Port of Antwerp plays a significant role for import and export activities of Austrian and Eastern European industries. Main types of cargo shipped via Antwerp are, for example, steel, machines, cranes, railway wagons and wind generators, chemical and petrochemical products, containers as well as goods for the automobile industry. These items can be rapidly delivered to and from Antwerp thanks to the seaport’s fast connections with destinations inland.
One major advantage for pre-carriage and final delivery services is Antwerp’s central location, which means that all modes of transport can be used: roads, inland waterways and rail services. Important European inland terminals like Duisburg, Ludwigshafen, Regensburg and Basel can all be reached by inland waterway vessels. The Austrian inland waterway ports at Linz, Enns, Krems and Vienna can be accessed via the river Danube.
There are already efficient railway connections between the Port of Antwerp and Austria – for example, a direct rail service with five round trips per week on the Antwerp-Linz corridor, three direct weekly round trips between Antwerp and Vienna and three indirect connections (via Duisburg). Starting mid-May, the cities of Wels and Graz will be connected to Antwerp. Shippers in Austria and Eastern Europe benefit from these regular rail services to Europe’s second-largest seaport.
Hungary offers huge potential for the Port of Antwerp as well. In addition to improving the existing rail connections, the Antwerp Port Authority is actively supporting the development of new, direct rail links with Budapest.
Source: Dailyshippingtimes.com
