Readout meeting between INTPA DG and POABI 20.07.23.pdf

Ref. Ares(2024)6135817 - 29/08/2024
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FW: Readout meeting between INTPA DG and Port of Antwerp-Bruges International representatives - 20/7
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Thursday 1 August 2024 10:25:20
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Sent: Tuesday, July 25, 2023 4:17 PM
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DG and Port of Antwerp-Bruges International
representatives - 20/7

Dear colleagues,

Please find below the readout of Koen’s meeting with representatives of the Port of Antwerp-
Bruges International.

I would like to thank once again all those who have contributed to preparing the briefing for
Koen.

Kind regards,

Meeting with Port of Antwerp-Bruges International - POABI (20 July 2023)

Participants:
Port of Antwerp Bruges International (POABI):
INTPA: Koen Doens (KD –INTPA DG),

On 20 July, DG INTPA held a meeting with representatives of the POABI.

Green Shipping corridors:
-   Following the conclusions of the last meeting, KD requested again POABI to take
the initiative to put together the main EU actors in the maritime sector to discuss
issues of common interest, including the DK Green Shipping Corridors flagship.
This platform would be an important sectorial initiative feeding into the GG BAG.
Currently, the EC is engaging with a number of players that have approached us,
but there would be real benefit in having a more comprehensive platform with
all major relevant players. KD reminded the importance to have a good
understanding of competitivity concerns of African ports vs EU ports and this
could be discussed within this platform.
confirmed POABI can take the lead
and organise. A draft concept note will be prepared by POABI.
Malaysia:
-
thanked INTPA as they received the grant award for 1.9 M for the studies to
be conducted for the Port of Lumut. KD mentioned a good opportunity to
showcase this will be the Global Gateway Forum to be held at on 25 October and
a ceremony could be organised in the margin of the event. He asked POABI to
abstain to do any public announcement until then.
agreed and suggested to
invite the Chief Minister of Perak and Sultan Abdullah of Pahang to the planned
ceremony.
-   POABI informed about the total investment they will make in Lumut, which will
be between 12 and 40 M€, and could also be announced at the Global Gateway
Forum.
Cotonou:
-   KD mentioned EU has been approached by the Minister of Finance of Bénin on
strengthened support for the development of the regional vocational training
centre and that we are looking into it. Mr Talon, President of Benin, would like to
see substantial progress on the centre by the end of 2025, as this is part of his
legacy, and is looking for finance to set this up. INTPA is considering sources for

funding, probably from the regional envelopes.
-   POABI’s mandate on the port will finish in 2025 but they will stay as they intend
to develop logistics and will remain as a shareholder. KD noted he is looking at
the possibility to do a mission to Bénin and visit the Port of Cotonou. POABI
mentioned they are planning to organise an event with the
as the
port have achieved the eco-label and is the first African port to obtain such
distinction, which could be a good occasion for KD to visit. KD requested to
consider this to be conducted in November.
Namibia
-   POABI informed about the green hydrogen roadmap, as well as the ICT strategy
and the roadmap for a maritime single window. Namibia is also looking for cost
effective green hydrogen production for other activities around the Walvis Bay
port. CMB is interested in ammonia to be produced here as well.
-   Walvis Bay vs Lüderitz ports: POABI explained that Lüderitz, where NL/Port of
Rotterdam plans to invest, has more potential for massive GH2
production/export (given its wind and solar potential), whilst the potential of
Walvis Bay is linked to its big advantage that there is already a port and facilities.
POABI noted that, on GH2 production, a shift needs to change from the 90%
export- 10% local use to have a more balanced approach.
-   Better alignment with the strategic corridor needed:  will follow up with EU
DEL, notably to understand better the complementarities and overlaps between
the Walvis Bay corridor Group (main interlocutor for POABI) the Trans Kalahari
Corridor Secretariat.
-   KD informed there is an EU-Namibia Business Forum in Brussels on 24 October,
this would be a good platform to discuss these topics.
Angola - Lobito:
-   KD explained POABI there is a lot of work to do. US is keen to get EU on board as
this could be a good example of how we can do things together. A tender is
ongoing for the international terminal of the Port of Lobito.
-
briefed INTPA about POABI activities. POABI is a structural long-term
partner supporting the national port strategy of Angola. It is working on the Port
of Luanda on sustainability and chasing eco-port certification and digitization.
80% of Angolan trade is through Luanda and the “northern hub”.
-   POABI explained that there is hesitance about Lobito as it is still controlled by
China, the debt incurred has a significant impact on the national budget, and
even the government cannot get the grip on how the port is managed. But this is
changing as the government is turning to EU.
-   KD noted POABI should be part of the team US/EU, as in-roads need to be made
now. EC is organising the Business Forum in November and POABI would be
happy to get involved in the EU/US offer.
Tanzania:
-   Dar es Salam: POABI is assessing the offer for the concession of DP World, they
are looking to be a structural partner. Tanzania could develop as a gateway for
Eastern/Central Africa. The objective for POABI is to have a similar intervention
to the one in Cotonou without taking over the management of the Port.
-   The board of the TPA will be visiting Antwerp soon.
General points:
-   KD asked about Rotterdam and if they have been active in any of the activities