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The Port of Antwerp Bruges International is looking at providing trainings in the short-term and port master planning and investment opportunities in the medium-term as part of its renewed partnership with the Philippine Ports Authority
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PoABI and PPA will soon launch a task force that will conduct bi-monthly meetings to define the agenda under the partnership
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In the immediate term, PPA officials will participate in Antwerp/Flanders Port Training Center courses and other relevant conferences
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PoABI may also assist in determining how to support alternative gateways to help decongest ports
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The renewed partnership is also getting extra push as the Philippines and the European Union, to which Belgium is a member of, prepare to sign their free trade agreement in 2027
The Port of Antwerp Bruges International (PoABI) is looking at providing trainings in the short-term and port master planning and investment opportunities in the medium-term as part of its renewed partnership with the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA).
Following the signing of a five-year memorandum of understanding (MOU) on September 21, PoABI and PPA will soon launch a task force that will conduct bi-monthly meetings and “have a complete agenda on how we can support training, advisory, investment” under the partnership, PoABI head of business development Maartje Driessens, during a recent media briefing organized by the Embassy of Belgium in the Philippines.
READ: PPA, Antwerp-Bruges group ink 5-year pact on port modernization
The MOU renews previous partnerships between PPA, PoABI, and its affiliate firm Antwerp/Flanders Port Training Center (APEC) and provides a framework for cooperation in port operations, planning and optimization, digitalization, sustainability, safety, service quality, governance, and capacity building.
PoABI, a subsidiary of the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, offers consultancy, advisory, training, and management for international port projects. Its overseas partners not only benefit from the expertise and knowledge accumulated within the Port of Antwerp-Bruges–Europe’s second largest port–but also from the Antwerp Port Community with its 200 years of experience.
While the complete agenda is yet to be established, Driessens said “one of the most quick things that will happen” is participation of PPA officials to APEC courses and other relevant conferences.
Port congestion, master planning
There are also low-hanging fruits where PoABI can help, such as in how to support alternative gateways to help decongest Manila ports, boost the domestic sea connectivity, and port digitalization.
For the midterm, Driessens said “we hope that we can also help with the master planning of the ports of the Philippines and consider some investment opportunities.”
On whether there are specific priority ports or projects already identified, Driessens said “we will let them (PPA) take the lead and see what is important” and what their priorities are.
PPA earlier said the partnership could cover port and terminal performance, smart port applications, operational risk management, green port operations, service quality management, and operational governance.
‘Extra push’ from EU-PH trade deal
The renewed partnership is also timely as the European Union (EU), to which Belgium is a member of, and the Philippines prepare to sign their free trade agreement (FTA) next year.
On September 22, European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maroš Šefčovič and Philippine Secretary of Trade and Industry Ma. Cristina Roque announced that the EU and the Philippines have agreed on the terms of a bilateral FTA, a breakthrough more than a decade in the making that now moves to legislators on both sides for final approval.
READ: EU, PH agree on terms of free trade agreement
Driessens said the FTA “indeed will give us an extra push in the back because it can attract new cargo flows between both our nations and in the European Union.”
“And so, if we want to ensure a smooth supply chain, it’s important that the goods can easily get from A to B. So, ports have to be increased in terms of capacity and the Philippine ports have to be prepared to receive… import and export large volumes… So, of course, there we can help to really prepare all that infrastructure,” Driessens said.
Aside from the know-how, Driessen noted that PoABI can also “bring the network”, as Port of Antwerp-Bruges is a maritime industrial cluster that is home to 1,400 companies.
She said the goal is not only to have an efficient port, but also to bring in new investments to the Philippines.
Ambassador of Belgium to the Philippines Vladislava Iordanova, during the same briefing, said maritime is one of their country’s strategic sectors where they intend to invest in and become a serious partner for the Philippines.
Prior to PoABI’s MOU with PPA, Team Belgium and a delegation from the EU had a roadshow last March 2026 in Bataan, Manila, Subic, and Cebu to identify concrete opportunities for deeper collaboration in support of the Philippines’ maritime development ambitions.
READ: PH, Belgium advance broad maritime cooperation agenda
Maxime Prévot, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belgium, also visited the Philippines for a high-level engagement aimed at advancing shared maritime priorities.
These initiatives are also on the back of this year’s 80th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Belgium and the Philippines.—Roumina Pablo
