Sea freight - Antwerp Port

• Author: Neacsu N.A.
• Pages: 345-352

Bulletin of the Transilvania University of Braşov

Series V: Economic Sciences • Vol. 9 (58) No. 2 - 2016

Sea freight - Antwerp Port

Nicoleta Andreea NEACŞU1

Abstract: Shipping plays a vital role in achieving the movement of goods, both in terms of

quantity and efficiency. This paper presents the role and advantages of shipping in the global

economy and analyzes the development and Antwerp Port activity. Currently, the second

most important trading port in Europe and 14th in the ranking of most important ports that

handle containers worldwide, the Port of Antwerp, Belgium is a port in the heart of Europe,

accessible to large sized vessels. 200 years of constructing infrastructure and logistics

around the central location, as well as pressure from Rotterdam, that had an impact on the

competitiveness of the port of Antwerp, all this led the port to occupy a leading position in

the top rankings.

Key-words: shipping, port, trading

1. Introduction

The vessels have carried goods from one place to another of the world for thousands

of years. Today, shipping is still essential for international trade, 90% of this, in

terms of volume shipments being carried by ships.

Shipping costs are influenced by factors such as infrastructure, oil prices, the

transport length, competition between the major shipping companies, corruption and

the activities of pirates.

Trade in certain products was particularly influenced by changes in the cost of

shipping, especially that of cereals and seeds for oil, products that are shipped in

bulk. A doubling of the cost of shipping for agricultural goods would be associated

with a 42% decrease in average trade.

The analysis conducted by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and

Development (OECD) confirms that as time required for commercial transactions is

higher, the less is the transports volume. The long term and difficult procedures for

exports and imports reduce the probability of companies to enter on foreign markets

with perishable products.

1 Transilvania University of Braşov, deea_neacsu@unitbv.ro