The Ports of Antwerp and Hamburg

Abstract

Rotterdam’s two largest competitors in Western Europe in the field of conventional general cargo and containers are the ports of Antwerp and Hamburg. All three ports fight for as large a share as possible of this freight while jointly attempting to convince the European Commission of the impossibility of a European seaport policy. Since 1993, the transport policy has been high on the Brussels political agenda: the role of ports as crucial components in the transport chain has been recognised, old institutional controversies have once more arisen and options and criteria for fair competition are being sought. It is interesting to see how Antwerp and Hamburg are preparing themselves institutionally for the approaching European unification. In contrast to Hamburg, where the port ordinance of 1970 still appears to be functional, Antwerp has recently decided to privatise the port authority and steer a new course.