March 13 - As part of its programme of regular meetings with ports in the European hinterland, Antwerp Port Authority held a Port Day in Valenciennes, northern France, organised in collaboration with the chambers of commerce in Valenciennes, Avesnes and C

Some 20 companies, including shipping lines, forwarders, agents and stevedores from the port of Antwerp met customers and prospects in the region.

Prior to the meeting, the Antwerp delegation visited Obled Sacsum, a company that makes high and heavy industrial products such as large steel vessels, special rings for tunnel excavations, oil platforms, Airbus parts and machinery.

These loads mainly travel through the port of Antwerp as project cargo.

The development of the Seine-Nord canal link between the Seine and the Scheldt rivers offers prospects for barge transport of over-sized equipment to Antwerp.