Singaporean President Tharman Shanmugaratnam visited Antwerp on a state visit to Belgium to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
The Port of Antwerp-Bruges and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) are now set to continue their cooperation on decarbonisation and digitalisation in the coming years.
The Port of Singapore Authority (PSA) handles 80% of the containers transiting through three terminals at the Port of Antwerp-Bruges.
Antwerp's Provincial Governor Cathy Berx and Antwerp Mayor Els van Doesburg welcomed President Shanmugaratnam at the Port House.
In the afternoon, President Shanmugaratnam visited the Europa Terminal, which is currently being renovated to accommodate the latest container ships.
Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam visited the Port House in Antwerp as part of the state visit to Belgium, on Tuesday 25 March 2025. Credit: Belga
The renovation project, a collaboration between the Port of Antwerp-Bruges and PSA, is separate from the state visit and is scheduled for completion in 2030.
Jacques Vandermeiren, CEO of the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, emphasised that the MoU with MPA is "a significant step in energy and digital transition," highlighting the "importance of knowledge sharing to address global maritime challenges."
Tharman Shanmugaratnam, an economist by training, has led Singapore since 2023 and has previously served as Finance Minister, Chairman of the Monetary Authority of Singapore, and a member of the World Economic Forum’s board.
Established in 1996, the MPA aims to position Singapore as a major global port.
