Alfaport Voka, Antwerp Port Authority and the Scheldt Left Bank Corporation (MLSO) in agreement on further extension of the payment term for concessions and harbour dues

Alfaport Voka, Antwerp Port Authority and the Scheldt Left Bank Corporation (MLSO) in agreement on further extension of the payment term for concessions and harbour dues

In order to continue supporting the shipping lines, barge operators and concessionaires at the port of Antwerp in these difficult circumstances, a further postponement of payment for domain concessions and for shipping and inland navigation dues will be granted.

The Antwerp port community asked for supporting measures to be taken in response to the COVID-19 crisis. Following consultation with Alfaport Voka, the Port Authority extended the payment term for shipping and inland navigation dues in April and - in consultation with MLSO - extended the payment term for concessions in June. Both the Port Authority and MLSO have decided to extend these measures (to the extent shown below).

The payment term for both shipping dues (normally 18 days) and for inland navigation dues (normally 30 days) will remain extended to 48 days. This postponement of payment applies to all vessels mooring up at the port of Antwerp from 1 September until 30 November 2020 inclusive. For shipping, this postponement will be applied to tonnage dues and berthing dues.

The payment term for concession invoices relating to Q4 2020 will be extended until 30 October 2020. At the specific and motivated request of concessionaires, the Port Authority and MLSO can exceptionally switch to monthly invoices for Q4 2020. However, this exceptional measure can only be requested by concessionaires that have a fundamental turnover loss, traffic loss and/or cash flow problem specifically for Q3. This must be explicitly demonstrated in the request and in any case with figures (thus, the request must be adequately justified). Therefore, there is a less broad exception in this respect than for the invoices for Q3. Such request must be addressed to [email protected] (Port Authority) or [email protected] (MLSO) by 18 September 2020 at the latest. Due to this measure, the invoices for Q4 will be issued later than is normally the case.

For more details, please visit the website of the Antwerp Port Authority and https://mlso.be/en/for-companies

Antwerp Port Authority, MLSO and Alfaport Voka will monitor the situation closely in the meantime.

About Port of Antwerp-Bruges

With an overall throughput of 271 million tonnes per year, Port of Antwerp-Bruges is a critical hub in worldwide trade and industry. The port is a crucial link for the handling of containers, breakbulk and for the throughput of vehicles. Port of Antwerp-Bruges is home to 1,400 companies and accommodates the largest integrated chemical cluster in Europe. The port provides, directly and indirectly, a total of around 164,000 jobs and generates an added value of 21 billion euros.
 
The ambition for Port of Antwerp-Bruges is clear - to become the world's first port that reconciles economy, people and climate. As well as growing in a sustainable way, the Port also aims to focus on its unique position as a logistics, maritime and industrial centre and to take the lead in the transition to a circular and low-carbon economy. Together with the port community, customers and other partners, Port of Antwerp-Bruges is actively seeking innovative solutions for a sustainable future. High on the agenda is its responsibility for the environment and the surrounding society. 

The port sites of Antwerp and Zeebrugge are operated by the Antwerp-Bruges Port Authority, a limited liability company of public law with the City of Antwerp and the City of Bruges as its shareholders. The port employs 1,800 people. Vice-Mayor of Antwerp Annick De Ridder is President of the Board of Directors, the Mayor of Bruges Dirk De fauw is the Vice-President. Jacques Vandermeiren is CEO and President of the Executive Committee, which is responsible for the port’s day-to-day management. 

www.portofantwerpbruges.com

The telephone number +32 492 15 41 39 is only for press inquiries. For other questions you can mail to [email protected]

Port of Antwerp-Bruges
Havenhuis
Zaha Hadidplein 1
2030 Antwerp
Belgium