Gosselin spreads out activities to improve accessibility to Antwerp
“Everyone will have to do their part to ensure an improved flow of goods to and from the port, and Gosselin is no exception,” says Walter Van Mechelen, senior director of Gosselin Logistics in Deurne after the announcement to keep the Deurganckdok open around the clock. “This is why we have decided to support this to the best of our ability using nighttime deliveries in the preliminary phase and during the trial period, even though I hasten to add some comments.”
Handling more than 90,000 containers each year means that Gosselin, with its facility on the Belcrownlaan in Deurne, is a major player in transport to and from the port of Antwerp. “We definitely applaud this initiative, and mostly hope that it will set a number of things in motion,” Van Mechelen adds. “We also see the Port Authority’s recommendation to jump on the bandwagon as an opportunity.”
Thanks to its location on the Albert Canal, Gosselin Logistics has the advantage of being able to implement multimodal transport. The company already transports almost half of its shipments (46%) by water. “We are now taking the initiative to better spread out the remaining road transport activities, including during the nighttime hours. In the meantime, we are working internally on optimizing scheduling in order to keep so-called empty runs to a minimum. Although I must add that we do not have full control over this,” according to Van Mechelen.
“In order to optimize spreading these activities out, we need help. On the one hand, this has to come from the suppliers and drivers, and on the other, from our customers. Opening a few terminals isn’t enough. We have to be able to be more flexible in our responses to the closings. However, we will press on in the hope that other companies will also help to support this initiative, since we will not solve the mobility problem by navel-gazing,” Van Mechelen concludes.
About Gosselin Logistics
Gosselin Logistics manages logistic supply chains between Europe, China, Africa and the rest of the world. Offering a complete range of logistic services, from forwarding and warehousing to customs clearance including specialized services such as lashing and securing and manufacturing overflow and storage crates. Gosselin Logistics is part of the Gosselin Group.
Gosselin originated in 1930 and counts more than 700 employees that generate a revenue of more than 200 million euro. Its headquarters are located strategically at the Albert Canal in Deurne, its inland terminal connects the ports of Antwerp and Rotterdam to the European hinterland. The company has 48 offices in 32 countries and is strongly represented in Europe, Eastern Europe, Russia and Central Asia.
