The Port of Antwerp-Bruges has introduced a new Ketenis truck parking which it sees as an impetus for a green corridor.

In a statement, it said that the free parking facility has 280 parking spaces and will open on March 31.

The parking facility will also host fast chargers for electric trucks in the near future.

"After truck parking Goordijk (210 spaces) on the right bank of the Scheldt, Port of Antwerp-Bruges is now opening the free parking Ketenis on the left bank of the Scheldt with 280 parking spaces," it said in the announcement.

The port noted that the truck parking is fenced, lit and equipped with camera surveillance, Wi-Fi and sanitary facilities, among others.

In addition, the Port of Antwerp-Bruges wants to avoid the nuisance caused by parked trucks around the port.

Future-proof investment

The Port of Antwerp-Bruges noted that the new parking is close to the current and future container terminals on the Left Bank of the Scheldt.

This opens up the option of using the parking facility in the future as daytime waiting parking for trucks that are too early for their appointment at the terminal.

The total investment is about €10 million, of which about €2 million is European support within the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF).

A significant part of this investment has gone towards the remediation of the site. Here, the Port of Antwerp-Bruges has assumed its social responsibility to future generations.

Preparations for charging infrastructure were put in during the build.

Port of Antwerp-Bruges, meanwhile, is in the process of licensing Ketenis and Goordijk parking facilities.

It noted that the licensee would operate the parking and provide fast chargers (300kW) for electric trucks: at least ten at Ketenis and at least five at Goordijk.

Green corridor Antwerp-Zeebrugge

The port noted that this month, preparatory works for truck parking also started in Zeebrugge's inner port, which will also have to charge infrastructure for electric trucks.

"This will create a green corridor for road transport between the two port areas," the Port of Antwerp-Bruges said, further saying that fast chargers at the truck parks in both Antwerp and Zeebrugge would encourage more electric truck operations.

"This new truck parking is excellently located near the current and future container terminals on the Left Bank of the Scheldt. Parking Ketenis will provide better comfort and greater safety for truck drivers," said Annick De Ridder,  Port Alderman of the City of Antwerp and Chairman of the Board of Port of Antwerp-Bruges.

"Moreover, thanks to its electric loading capacity, this parking will become an essential link in electric truck transport between the port platforms of Antwerp and Zeebrugge," De Ridder added.