Antwerp XL, the world’s only event dedicated exclusively to maritime breakbulk, will have an expanded show floor and an even greater international audience when it returns to the Port of Antwerp on 21st-23rd April 2020.
The inaugural exhibition and conference, held at the largest breakbulk and steel port in Europe, made an impressive debut, attracting attendees from more than 57 nations. However, thanks to a raft of new relationships with international industry networks, key cargo owner associations and ports, an even bigger gathering of global breakbulk professionals is expected in 2020.
Companies from the USA, the Middle East, and Africa, which is witnessing the next boom in infrastructure spending, together with China, which is experiencing its own surge in renewable energy infrastructure, are booked for Antwerp XL when it returns next year.
They will be joined by over 150 industry-leading organisations showcasing their latest products and services. The major companies already onboard include Spliethoff Group, Haropa, Blue Water Shipping, Höegh Autoliners, North Sea Port, the Port of Dover, the Port of Dunkirk, Fednav International, and registration sponsors Konecranes.
Supported by the Port of Antwerp, Antwerp XL prides itself on operating at the heart of the global industry. For 2020, the event has increased this focus; by developing new relationships and partnerships with key international industry networks and associations it expects to attract even more key cargo owners, carriers, ports and forwarders from around the globe. Project Professionals Group (PPG), Project Freight Network (PFN), Worldwide Ship Agencies Association (WWSA), CLC Projects, Cargo Connections, and Project Cargo Network (PCN) have all confirmed their involvement in the show, with a mix of training, networking and social events all slated to take place at the event.
A key focus for Antwerp XL is innovation, and how it can help the breakbulk community tackle the challenges facing today’s industry. The Innovation Start-Up Zone, supported by PortXL, has been moved to the front of the show. Here visitors will see showcases from the industry’s most exciting new businesses and technologies.
Antwerp XL will once again host a conference programme where breakbulk professionals can learn, share, and be inspired. This will feature in-depth sessions and debates, with leading shippers, ports, freight forwarders and carriers exploring key market themes such as innovation, sustainability, the economy of breakbulk, IMO 2020 and energy transition. Trends will also be discussed when Flows Magazine once again hosts a roundtable breakfast seminar at the show.
Talent attraction and development are also important to the future of breakbulk. In response, the event’s NextGen debate will explore starting a career in breakbulk, career progression and what makes a potential employee attractive.
Visitors will also be able to enhance their skills, knowledge and expertise with one of the training programmes which have been carefully curated into the Antwerp XL programme. Registration is already open for PPG’s project forwarding course, designed specifically for people involved with project cargo logistics management. Furthermore, Project Freight Network will offer “The Shippers Perspective” part of its world-renowned training programme for project freight management.
Before Antwerp XL’s opening ceremony and reception, a tour of the Port of Antwerp will give participants a chance to connect as they see the port’s historic breakbulk activities up close. In addition to this and other late-night networking events, the organisers are providing visitors and exhibitors with Antwerp XL Connect, an official one-to-one networking platform which allows users to schedule meetings.
Mark Rimmer, Antwerp XL Divisional Director, commented: “By offering the global maritime breakbulk industry an event solely dedicated to its needs, and at the heart of the industry in Antwerp, we have such a powerful proposition for the sector. As these announcements show, we are not only staying true to this vision, but we’re building on it. Thanks to our focus on new international relationships, partnerships and associations, Antwerp XL 2020 will offer more exhibitors, more content and yet more business opportunities than ever before.”
Antwerp XL takes place from the 21st to the 23rd April 2020 at the Antwerp Expo, with tickets going on sale in late November. For more information on visiting the exhibition, booking as a delegate for the training, or exhibiting, please call +44 (0)20 3196 4300
