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Vlaamse Waterweg chooses Gosselin Group & WDP nv as Genk-Zuid investor
(This news is based on the articles from De Vlaamse Waterweg and Flows)
De Vlaamse Waterweg (Flemish waterways authority) has offered several plots of land along the Albert Canal in Genk for sale for the development of new water-based activities. After evaluating the submissions from the candidates, the Executive Board decided to conclude a concession agreement for an 11-hectare water-based site with WDP and Gosselin Group. “In submitting their proposal, they seized the opportunity to make a full commitment to water transport,” says Flemish Minister of Mobility and Public Works, Lydia Peeters. “These companies have chosen a sustainable solution with a view to waterway connections to ports as well as destinations abroad.”
Logistics division growth
According to Marc Smet, CEO of Gosselin Group, the investment in Genk-Zuid is a great fit for the growth of the company’s logistics activities. “Together with WDP, we’re going to develop 60,000 m² of an area that’s necessary to facilitate the growth of our logistics activities. The site in Deurne will be at capacity within two years, even considering the addition of the former Milcobel site in the near future. We bid on the Vlaamse Waterweg’s tender, and were awarded the concession for zone C,” Smet explains.
Germany
The new site in Genk will primarily be used for completing overseas traffic to and from Germany. “We will study how we can work with the nearby Port of Limburg to handle these volumes by lighter. It might be possible to ultimately add a quay to the land we will have the concession for, but we’re looking at a variety of options in the meantime. The main focus is on cargo with an overseas connection. In principle, the site should be operational by late 2024,” Smet says.
Genk-Zuid business park
During the tender procedure, 19 proposals were submitted for one or more plots of land.
The Executive Board of the Vlaamse Waterweg nv weighed the various candidates and based on the award criteria, made the decision on July 13, 2022 to select WDP nv and Gosselin Group as candidates for zone C.
“I’m thrilled about this since it will help us get a considerable transport volume on the water. After all, every freight shipment that is on our waterways means one less shipment clogging up our roads,” Minister Peeters explains. “The awarding of this concession will not only benefit the growth of inland navigation, but will also give a boost to the economy and employment in Limburg. The expectation is that this will create 88 full-time jobs.”
In search of more transfer business
Minister Peeters supports the Vlaamse Waterweg’s intentions: “The Albert Canal’s role as a link for the transfer of freight traffic to our waterways is too important to not maximize its potential. Attracting strong water-based activities to this area alone is enough to help us realize our ambition to increase inland navigation’s share in the logistics chain to 20% by 2030.”
About Gosselin Logistics
Gosselin Logistics is a leading provider of logistics services. With activities ranging from shipping, forwarding and warehouse storage to customs formalities Gosselin Logistics can offer its customers a constant supply chain. Heavy-Gosselin is a division of Gosselin Logistics specialized in industrial projects.
Gosselin Logistics is a division of the Gosselin Group that has its headquarters in Antwerp, Belgium. The company was founded in 1930 and employs a staff of 800 that generates more than 350 million Euros in sales.
