Know. Apply. Grow.

Flanders Institute for Logistics is delivering breakthroughs in sustainable, value added logistics

Ever wondered how Flanders will strengthen its position as the logistics powerhouse of Europe? The Flanders Institute for Logistics (Vlaams Instituut voor de Logistiek – VIL) may have the answer. Their Extended Gateway Flanders plan (a 300 page tome, known as ‘the bible’ in logistics circles) is the organisation’s bid to solve the transport dilemma while guaranteeing a continued growth in value adding logistic activities.

One of the most important obstacles standing in the way of continued growth in international trade is the road congestion around the world’s major sea ports. Building ever bigger ships is all good and well but you still need to get those goods away from the sea port once the ship docks. In Antwerp, the existing road infrastructure is pretty much at capacity. Hence VIL’s plan is to extend elements of the four Flemish sea ports and the airport (the gateways) into the interior utilising superior connections. Why unload everything at the sea port, when you can ship goods in bulk onward via inland waterways or rail to new areas zoned specifically for value-added logistical activity?

These ideas and more have taken hold in Flanders—in fact, the Flemish government has adopted the plan and is currently studying new infrastructure needs, new market organisation and labour policy initiatives. This is one plan (albeit a large one)—VIL has more in the pipeline.