By: ICN Bureau
Last updated : September 05, 2026 10:19 am
Port of Antwerp-Bruges thus forms a crucial logistics bridge between India and Europe, says Belgian Prime Minister
To capitalize on Prime Minister Bart De Wever’s official visit to India, the Port of Antwerp-Bruges convened a summit of Indian and Belgian government officials and corporate executives in Mumbai on 4 September. The discussions centered on leveraging the newly negotiated India-EU Free Trade Agreement to bolster bilateral commerce and logistics.
The event is part of Port of Antwerp-Bruges’ ambition to further develop its trade relations with India and consolidate its position as a key gateway for the growing cargo flows between India and Europe.
Bart De Wever, Prime Minister of Belgium and member of the Board of Directors of Port of Antwerp-Bruges, said: “In a world where protectionism and economic dependencies are once again gaining ground, our country chooses reliable partners and trade that diversifies our supply chains. The free trade agreement between India and the EU gives concrete substance to that choice, but strong logistics connections are essential to turn those opportunities into reality. India is an important growth market for Belgian companies, while Belgium, with the second-largest port in Europe, offers a key gateway to the European market. Port of Antwerp-Bruges thus forms a crucial logistics bridge between India and Europe.”
William Demoor, Chief Customer Relations Officer at Port of Antwerp-Bruges, added: “India has been a crucial trade partner for Port of Antwerp-Bruges for many years, and there is still a lot of potential. With our logistics and industrial clusters, our connectivity to the European hinterland, and our twenty-year presence in India, we have everything in place to support a significant part of that growth. We want to be the natural gateway to Europe for Indian companies, and the link to one of the world’s fastest-growing markets for European companies.”
India is an important growth market for Port of Antwerp-Bruges. In 2025, the port handled 6.3 million tonnes of goods originating from or destined for India, making it the third-largest trade partner for breakbulk and the seventh-largest for containers. Port of Antwerp-Bruges has had a permanent presence in Mumbai since 2006, and this year is celebrating 20 years of operations there.
The collaboration extends beyond cargo. Port of Antwerp-Bruges shares its expertise in port management, digitalisation, nautical operations, and sustainability through its subsidiaries, Port of Antwerp-Bruges International and APEC–Antwerp/Flanders Port Training Center. Additionally, the port is exploring investment opportunities and supporting India's maritime sector development through training and knowledge exchange.
India-EU FTA, reduced import duties and streamlined customs will ease trade. With the European Commission forecasting a doubling of EU exports by 2032, key growth sectors directly align with the Port of Antwerp-Bruges' cargo flows.
Port of Antwerp-Bruges aims to turn the opportunities created by the free trade agreement into concrete trade, investment, and partnerships, further expanding its role as a logistics and industrial gateway between India and Europe. With that in mind, the port will return to India together with companies from the port community from 1 to 5 February 2027, as part of a multi-sector trade mission.