March 14 - The Port of Antwerp is expanding its representation in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) with two new port representatives: Robert Giraud and Hans Knigs, who with Dr Dieter Lindenblatt complete Antwerp's team of German representatives.

Meanwhile, the Canadian port of Halifax has appointed maritime advisory firm and consultancy Focus Maritime (North West) Limited to promote its facilities across Europe.

North Rhine-Westphalia is of great importance for Antwerp and as part of its natural hinterland is a strategic trading partner of the Scheldt port.
 
Some 75 percent of the cargoes moving between NRW and Antwerp are transported by inland waterway vessel via the Rhine-Scheldt connection.

Furthermore, the port of Antwerp together with the has drawn up a roadmap for redefining the investment priorities in the rail infrastructure between the West Ports and North Rhine-Westphalia, with a major goal being an increase in capacity on the railway lines between Aachen and Monchengladbach on the one hand and between Aachen and Duren on the other hand.

For Halifax, the move sees container industry veteran Graham Fraser take on the role of director, business development and growth - Europe.
 
Fraser has held senior commercial, operational and planning management positions at CMA CGM, CSAV, Kent Line and and CP Ships' brands, Contship Containerlines and Canada Maritime.

George Malec, vice-president, business development and operations with Halifax Port Authority, said: "With wide experience across all sectors of the industry and deep knowledge of European and North American markets and operations, Fraser will further enhance the position of the Halifax Port Authority in Europe, with carriers, shippers and freight forwarders."

Graham Fraser

www.portofantwerp.com

www.portofhalifax.ca