Cooperation between the ports of Charleroi and Dunkerque

Charged on April 10 in Nouméa (New Caledonia) on the containership CMA CGM L'Etoile (line Tour du Monde), the containers for the steel plant of ARCELOR MITTAL in Charleroi, were in transit in the Port of Dunkerque. In that port, the metallic concentrate used for the fabrication of high quality steel, was transshipped on a barge. From Dunkerque, the barge has traveled by inland waterways towards the terminal of Charleroi Trimodal Logistics Center, via the ship lift in Strépy-Thieu, where it arrived on 28/5.

All in all the 27 containers will only have been transported by truck for 4 kilometers on a trip of 16 500 km... «The client has won on the emission of carbon, and certainly on a financial level», explains M. De Smet, general manager of the port of Charleroi. In these times of economical slow-down, the port is also very happy with this transport and is actively looking for new markets.

This operation illustrates the strong synergy between the Ports of Dunkerque and Charleroi, in favor of the development of using inland waterways. The two ports have a clear ambition of expanding their activities on an international level. Charleroi being connected by rail with the network of IFB toward the south (Italy and Spain) and the east of Europe (Romania, Byelorussia, Ukraine, Turkey) permits opening other perspectives for other loads coming from Dunkerque.

The discharging of the containers was done in presence of M MARIQUE, Commercial manager of Charleroi Trimodal Logistics Center; of M BRUNET, Commercial representative of Port Autonome de Dunkerque; of M THORAVAL, head of operational and logistics/nickel sector services ERAMET.

Ecological importance

In these times of energy crisis, where the consumption of fossil fuel is rightly judged, certain precursors have put in place structures permitting the transfer of activities of « all by road » to an ecological system using wisely the positive characteristics of rail, barge and the flexibility of road transport. Based on a calculator recognized by the UIC and the important players in the transport sector, the results shown by « Ecotransit.org » demonstrate the utility of the transshipment platform. In 2008 the ecological balance of Charleroi Trimodal Logistics Center realized an emission reduction of more than 11.000 tons of CO₂ in the atmosphere!

More information on CTLC terminal

Existing since 9 years, the Charleroi Trimodal Logistics Center terminal, multimodal Train – Road – Barge has seen an annual growth of activity volumes. In 2008, more then 20.000 transports were transferred from road to rail and several thousands of tons on to barges. The multimodal platform can make use of the international network of IFB (member of BCargo Group), as well as of a high performing link between the quays of Antwerp and Charleroi (and its hinterland). The terminal is equipped with the most modern engines: Reach stackers on wheels, a crane portico on wheels and on rail. Moreover, the platform disposes of several opportunities for the implant of new companies on 30 hectares of available grounds.

Contact : D. Marique

Tel : +32 71 500 902 - GSM : + 32 474 25 87 95

E-mail : d.marique@trw.be