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Following Prime Minister Bart De Wever's official visit to India, Port of Antwerp-Bruges and its partners will host a gathering in Mumbai on September 4th to explore the possibilities presented by the recently concluded India-EU Free Trade Agreement. This event is part of the port's broader effort to deepen its trade relations with India and solidify its role as a critical link for increasing cargo flows between the two regions.

Strategic partner India represents a significant growth market for Port of Antwerp-Bruges. In 2025, the port managed 6.3 million tonnes of goods bound for or from India, ranking it as the third-largest trade partner for breakbulk cargo and the seventh-largest for container traffic. The port's presence in Mumbai dates back to 2006, marking 20 years of operations in the city this year.

The collaboration extends beyond logistics. Through its subsidiaries, Port of Antwerp-Bruges International and APEC–Antwerp/Flanders Port Training Center, the port shares expertise in areas such as port management, digitalization, nautical operations, and sustainability. Furthermore, it is exploring investment prospects and contributing to the advancement of India's port and maritime sector through training and knowledge exchange.

Once the India-EU Free Trade Agreement takes effect in early 2026, import duties on a wide array of goods will be reduced or eliminated, and customs procedures will be streamlined to facilitate smoother trade. The European Commission projects that EU exports to India, currently valued at nearly €49 billion, could nearly double by 2032. Key sectors poised to benefit, including chemicals, pharmaceuticals, machinery, textiles, and food, align closely with Port of Antwerp-Bruges' freight volumes and industrial sectors.

The India-Belgium High-Level Dialogue on the India-EU Free Trade Agreement, organized by Port of Antwerp-Bruges in Mumbai on September 4th in partnership with the Prime Minister's Office, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belgium, Flanders Investment & Trade, and the Consulate-General of Belgium, will delve into how Belgium and India can capitalize on these burgeoning opportunities.

Prime Minister De Wever will engage with representatives from the Indian Government, including Commerce and Industry Minister Shri Piyush Goyal and Maharashtra's Chief Minister Shri Devendra Fadnavis, along with Indian and Belgian business stakeholders.

Following bilateral talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 3rd in New Delhi, the port aims to convert the trade and investment possibilities arising from the free trade agreement into tangible outcomes, further expanding its position as a logistics and industrial hub between India and Europe. William Demoor, Chief Customer Relations Officer at Port of Antwerp-Bruges, emphasized that India remains a vital trade partner for the port, with immense potential for growth.

He stated that with its logistics and industrial clusters, connectivity to the European hinterland, and a two-decade presence in India, the port is well-positioned to facilitate substantial growth. Demoor emphasized Port of Antwerp-Bruges' commitment to being the natural gateway to Europe for Indian companies and a bridge to one of the fastest-growing markets for European businesses.

Bart De Wever, Prime Minister of Belgium and member of the board of directors at Port of Antwerp-Bruges, highlighted that in an era of resurfacing protectionism and economic interdependence, Belgium is committed to reliable partners and trade that broaden its supply chains. The India-EU Free Trade Agreement bolsters this strategy, but robust logistics connections are essential to transform these opportunities into reality.

India represents a significant growth market for Belgian companies, while Belgium, with the second-largest port in Europe, serves as a pivotal gateway to the European market. Thus, Port of Antwerp-Bruges plays a crucial logistical role connecting India and Europe.