What’s happening? How does it happen?
The Port of Brussels has developped a network of urban transshipment centres (UTCs) platforms to diversify and encourage traffic on its canal. These are platforms for the transhipment of goods, pallets, etc.
In order to reduce the number of vehicles in the city, they have also set up urban distribution centres (UDCs). Goods arrive there by lorry or boat and are reconditioned for distribution within the city of Brussels by van, electric bike or even by drone.
Why is this an interesting circular initiative for ports?
This project promotes the use of waterways, reduces road traffic congestion, and offers a realistic alternative to reorganize urban logistics. This platform system makes it easy to integrate intelligent palletized logistics that is better suited to the inland ports where the city-port interface is under constant pressure. One barge on the canal is equivalent to 40-100 lorries on the streets of Brussels…
What is the relation with the port and water?
The platforms are located within the port and act as a hinge between the canal and the city. The palletized transport represents a unique solution to urban logistics and helps to create an adapted interface between city and port, as their size allows them to adapt to the city’s supply by water.
What is the relation with the city?
Shifting to waterways for transporting goods to the city reduces congestion, improves air quality (provided that the rise of ship traffic entering the city will be accompanied by measures to reduce its emissions), and frees spaces that can be used for other purposes. Increasing the number of transshipment platforms on the canal quays intends to make this modal shift economically interesting for companies, by bringing goods closer to their final destination.
What are the ambitions?
The objective of the Port of Brussels and the Brussels Capital Region is to promote alternative freight transport solutions and stimulate the modal shift towards waterways and rail. Palletized transport seems a viable alternative for Brussels, since goods can be loaded directly from the ship, which is itself equipped with a crane that allows to operate independently of available quay infrastructure.
Who is behind it?
The Port of Brussels is a partner in various European and local projects aimed at improving urban distribution, to fulfill its mission as a logistics facilitator.
Image credit Port of Brussels
