Document
24 March 2021
Annual report 2020
Port Oostende continues to break trend despite coronary year
The 2020 Annual Report provides a thorough explanation of the activities of Port Oostende in the past year. What were the consequences of the COVID-19 corona crisis? How did the ship tonnages and ship movements evolve? Which new companies settled in Port Oostende and what impact will this have on employment? What do the financial figures tell us? 10 wharves will guide you through the port activities of 2020.
Niche port with a future
The strategy that has been rolled out since 2019 focuses on the development of niche markets with water-related activities. Port Oostende has succeeded well in this in 2020. In the first two months, tonnage increased compared to the same period in 2019. But the arrival of the COVID-19 coronavirus caused a kink in the growth curve. Unfortunately, this resulted in a lower ship's tonnage in Port Oostende but the port did register more ship movements.
New companies
New companies were attracted for the second year in a row. In time, the newcomers will offer more than 400 additional jobs.
Trend break is a fact
Financially, 2020 was the best year of the past 15 years. The trend break with the past is a fact. But there is still a lot of work to be done.
Impact pandemic
The impact of the pandemic will still weigh heavily in 2021. Investment projects, for which the REBO heavy weight terminal was eligible, were postponed and the reduced shipping traffic will only gradually recover. In addition, the necessary cost and investment burden to further fine-tune the installations, which is borne by Port Oostende itself, will also be high in 2021.
"Now that all the work to fill in our concessions in the inner port has clearly provided structural income and many more future jobs, the focus will now shift to that other pillar in the business plan that clearly needs more attention: attracting traffic. We are looking within and outside of Europe for this and are continuing the investments we are funding ourselves."
Charlotte Verkeyn, chairman of Port Oostende
"Thanks to the good results of 2020, Port Oostende can absorb the blows of the COVID-19 corona crisis. In 2021 we will continue our efforts to create water-related work and prosperity. We strive to attract even more investors and to further develop our maritime traffic."
Port Oostende
Port Oostende focuses on continuity, growth and employment within five pillars: Blue Economy, Bulk & Project Cargo, Cruises & Roll-On Roll-Off, Circular Industry and the Fisheries Sector. These sectors are further expanded on the basis of two foundations: prioritising safety, health and the environment and second supporting innovation and development.
Read our annual report 2020