On September 16th, PortEconomics associate member Michaël Dooms chaired the 2011 Scheldeconferentie, an annual conference gathering about 100 key decision makers in the Scheldt delta. After a brief introduction on the state of the economy, including the risk of a double-dip recession, and the related challenges for the Scheldt delta ports, Marcel Michon of Buck Consultants presented the impact of global and european evolutions in the logistics and industrial sector on the Scheldt ports, including China's and other emerging economies' role. Among the speakers from the port authorities were Eddy Bruyninckx (CEO of the Port of Antwerp), Christophe Peeters (Chairman of the Port of Ghent) and Dick Engelhardt (Director of Zeeland Seaports) explaining their views on the delta's development opportunities as well as their view on cooperation between port authorities. Leading companies such as Bayer, Katoen Natie and BOW Terminal showed new economic opportunities for the ports. 

For an impression of the 2011 Scheldeconferentie, click here.