Highlights and key points from the breakbulk industry’s long-awaited AntwerpXL 2023
Sep 20, 2023
The much-awaited AntwerpXL will once again opened its doors on November 28-30. As Tom Hautekiet, CCO of Port of Antwerp-Bruges, says: ‘The world collapsed and so did breakbulk businesses. But, now back on track, let us hope the show brings a successful exhibition for all.’
AntwerpXL 2023 is being held at Antwerp Expo in Belgium. The show provides a platform for the breakbulk, roro, heavy lift, and project cargo industry, delivering valuable connections and unforgettable experiences for visitors and exhibitors alike. The third edition of AntwerpXL showcases 150+ exhibitors, from cargo shipping logistics to packaging companies, all aiming to place themselves as a key business in the breakbulk sector.
Over the three days, visitors and exhibitors can engage with each other face-to-face, participate in panel discussions at the Main Deck conference, and have the opportunity to look at and try some great products and services. In comparison to the first edition of the show, AntwerpXL 2023 offers more networking, content, and more business opportunities, making it a more exciting show with the same focus.
The conference opens with a ribbon cutting led by Hautekiet, alongside Lourda Derry, COO of event organiser, Easyfairs, in an exciting and long-awaited moment. Hautekiet welcomes both local and international visitors to see why ‘Antwerp is the place of breakbulk.’
The exhibitors
Exhibitors from across Europe join the event to showcase their work, businesses, initiatives, and ideas. The hall floor at Antwerp Expo boasts numerous different enterprises centered in the breakbulk industry, from the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, Deufol, and Sedna to SteelDuxx, MSC, and icapps.
Speaking with exhibitors, many value being at AntwerpXL and getting the opportunity to finally meet with international partners and visitors in person. The passion for the event is evident, with exhibitors all hosting crowds of visitors, offering drinks and canapes, complete with a unique experience of some impressively designed stands.
The visitors
The arrival of visitors comes following the opening ceremony for AntwerpXL 2023. As early visitors explore the show first, the following day welcomes crowds upon crowds all eager to chat with the top businesses in breakbulk.
Visitor companies include large, well-established players such as DHL, as well as newer brands like Flying Whales, a tech company that aims to provide a solution to delivering breakbulk to those difficult-to-reach areas.
Port tour, business run and afterparty
28 November will open with an impressive tour of the Port of Antwerp-Bruges.
This features views of the shipment and storage of breakbulk, and an insight into the packaging, processing, and storage of industrial freight. The port allows visitors and exhibitors to meet and witness the historic Port of Antwerp and its breakbulk facilities.
Taking in the sights of Antwerp is not exclusive to the port tour. 29 November, kicks off with Antwerp’s BUSINESSrun. Beginning in the old city, participants can choose either a 4km or 9km loop, and are able to connect and network in a way that’s very different from drinks at a bar.
The first day of the show closes with an after-party sponsored by Kronescanes in Den Engel Bar in the city. Visitors and exhibitors are welcomed by music and drinks to a networking party. Guests can enjoy the atmosphere whilst getting the opportunity to chat further with other attendees.
The speakers
AntwerpXL also boasts a plethora of different conferences with panels showcasing great expertise in the sector.
The first session to taking place on Day One is ‘Global Breakbulk & Project Cargo Outlook’ with Susan Oatway, a research analyst at S&P and Jost Bergman, business director at DNV. Alongside others, they will discuss the current global climate of the breakbulk sector and the future of project cargo.
In the afternoon on Day Two, with Mahesh Singh, managing director at Trans Coral Shipping and Vilasini Krishnan from 4D SCC will discuss ‘Is breakbulk still an attractive career for new generations?’. They will be looking where the younger generations fit in the future of the industry and what can business be doing to be more attractive to them.
The future of Breakbulk
Other talks cover digitalisation in the sector and the impact of AI. The final day of sessions closes with a panel on ‘How can stakeholders collaborate for supply chain sustainability?’ with discussion from Jessie Slater, Solicitor at LA Marine and Inge Taillieu, BDM at DP World.
The future of the sector is something that AntwerpXL has been spearheading, not least with its 40 under 40 awards. This scheme aims to recognize emerging talent in the industry, especially amongst younger people. It’s just one way to help encourage and foster young talent in the breakbulk industry so that innovation can continue to thrive.
Innovation zone
The exhibition’s innovation zone is an area that showcases some of the emerging businesses in the sector. For example, 2022’s show saw Unafix (a cloud-based charter party editor and document manager), offering full support for fixture/recap management, rider terms, and issuing of BIMCO standardised forms. The company’s clever technology helps businesses to collaborate with their team, external partners, and clients, consequently improving efficiency.
Another innovative exhibitor from last year’s event is PortXL, whose mission is to accelerate innovative technologies for green energy, maritime, logistics, and process in port regions across the world. They describe themselves as: ‘an ecosystem of start-ups, scale-ups, corporate partners, and mentors – all change-makers, creative thinkers, and problem solvers who work collaboratively to disrupt the status quo.’
This approach supports the company’s central aim of wanting to change the way people think about the maritime industry.
Awards
AntwerpXL also presents awards to certain exhibitor stands, recognising them as an accelerator in marketing and environmental, social governance (ESG) processes. The awards include:
Most Sustainable Stand
Best Entertainment
Best Pre-Event Marketing Campaign
Best Overall Stand
Special announcements
Many exhibitors use the show as a platform to announce key business changes, innovations, and news. One exhibitor that brought an announcement in 2022, was De Grave Antverpia, which has now rebranded to DGA Shipping. Together with the appointment of their new CEO, Dirk Verstraeten, and the planned relocation to Atlantic House, the announcement made at AntwerpXL marks a new era for one of Belgium’s largest navigation companies.
Save the date
AntwerpXL will be taking place for its third edition on 28-30 November, with another spectacular program and exhibitor showcase. Visit the website at www.antwerpxl.com. Register to attend with this link > https://register.visitcloud.com/survey/2vu4ifvkg4xbc?actioncode=1092
