Goods are transported to and from companies in the Port of Ghent via sea-going vessels. A large part of these goods are transported to and from the hinterland. The portion of goods transported by road has declined to 34% and has never been so low.
Moreover, transport via inland shipping continues to increase. With 55% of transport occurring via inland shipping, a record was even set for the second year in a row in 2016. This finding is from a study by the Ghent Port Company into the use of all transport options to and from the hinterland in 2016.
SHARE OF ROAD TRANSPORT CONTINUES TO DECREASE
Transportation by road from and to the hinterland is 34%. This is 6% less than in 2010. This is also the lowest share of transported tonnes (11.9mt [million tonnes]) ever recorded. So, for the first time ever, the share of transport by road has dropped below 35%, which is the amount that the Port Company strives for.
NEW RECORD FOR INLAND SHIPPING
Transportation to and from the hinterland via inland shipping set a new record: inland shipping is responsible for more than half of all hinterland transport with a share of 55%. This is a 5% increase since 2010. This is (almost) the best year with regard to the quantity of transported tonnages too.
The Port Company wants to continue stimulating the use of inland vessels as a sustainable transport solution; this is in keeping with Flanders’ and Europe’s policy. The Port Company does this by investing in special infrastructure such as the construction of new quay walls, by extending jetties and making the mooring of inland vessels in docks safer.
SHARE BY RAIL DECREASES SLIGHTLY,TONNAGES AT HIGHEST LEVEL
The share of rail transport between the hinterland and the port decreased slightly. The railway has an 11% share (-1%). In transported tonnes, the 5mt level was surpassed for the first time. This is therefore a new record as well.
FOCUSING ON SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT
Ghent Port Company focuses on the sustainability of goods transport with the hinterland. The Port Company is striving for 15% transport by rail and 35% by road by 2020. The desired 50% via inland shipping was surpassed for the fifth time in 2016. Transport by road fell under the intended share of 35% for the first time in 2016.
ANNUAL STUDY ON TRANSPORT OPTIONS
Every year, Ghent Port Company studies how goods are transported to and from companies in the port from and to the hinterland. Is that by railway, via inland vessels or with lorries by road? In this way, Ghent Port Company maps out the traffic of companies with maritime waterfront activities that register at least 20,000 tonnes of cargo transhipment in the port annually. The most recent figures are related to 2016.
MULTIMODAL PORT
Thanks to its location in Western Europe and its infrastructure, the port of Ghent is a multimodal port. Goods that enter the port are transported onwards with sea-going vessels, inland vessels, by train, by lorry and even by pipeline. This mix of transport options is a strong asset.