Ghent to grow - 'multimodally'

Photo: BESIX

Ekol Logistics, Transuniverse Forwarding, and North Sea Port have signed a letter of intent covering the development of a 40 ha-big multimodal complex at Ghent's Kluizendok.

The site will comprise a cross-docking platform (10 ha) and two terminals - ro-ro (10 ha) and rail (20 ha).

Transuniverse Forwarding currently operates a cross-dock centre in Ghent for its groupage shipments to and from the whole of Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. The company handles around 100 trucks and container per week, meaning that the existing 8,000 m²-big facility won't suffice to accommodate the expected growth in volumes (double the number of trucks and containers within five years). According to the plans, the new transhipment building will have been commissioned by end-2021.

"We have taken an option to build a new 20,000 m² cross-dock centre on a site covering 10 hectares. According to the preliminary plans, the building will be more than 300 metres long and 60 metres wide and will number 140 loading docks/loading platforms. Because it is so big, some of the transhipment there will be automated or robotised," Frank Adins, Chairman, Transuniverse Forwarding Group, highlighted.

Because a considerable part of the load will head for the UK, Ekol and Transuniverse will invest in a ro-ro terminal, which will be operated by a third party. Adins said in this regard, "The growth opportunities for cargo transhipment between Ghent and the United Kingdom are considerable. Brexit is expected to cause major congestion in the Channel ports. This will create opportunities to organise transport by ship to more northerly ports in the United Kingdom, in conjunction with rail connections to and from the European hinterland."

The rail terminal, once operational, is to take care of 20 Ekol Europe-wide trains/week.