Port Technology International — 2026-10-06
Maritime and Ports
Governments and ports across the Antwerp-Rotterdam-Rhine-Ruhr Area (ARRRA) have agreed to strengthen cooperation on cross-border infrastructure, energy and logistics as the region seeks to maintain its competitiveness.
The agreement was reached at the Port Summit in Meise, Belgium, on 5 October, where representatives from Flanders, the Netherlands and North Rhine-Westphalia met executives from major regional ports.
ARRRA comprises Duisport, North Sea Port, Port of Antwerp-Bruges, Port of Cologne/HGK, Port of Moerdijk, Port of Oostende and Port of Rotterdam.
Governments said the port-industrial cluster generates around €65 billion in added value and supports nearly 600,000 jobs.
However, high energy costs, international competition, lengthy permitting processes and regulatory differences are creating challenges for ports and their industrial hinterlands.
The summit declaration identifies four areas for closer cooperation. The first is the development of cross-border circular supply chains, including a stronger market for secondary raw materials and greater regulatory alignment.
The second focuses on energy infrastructure, with the parties seeking to accelerate projects covering CO2 transport and storage, hydrogen and pipelines. The governments also want to improve investment certainty around major cross-border infrastructure.
Inland navigation is another priority, with cooperation planned on strategic water management and measures to improve the resilience and sustainability of inland freight transport.
The parties intend to explore automated road and inland waterway freight along cross-border corridors, including the Antwerp–Rotterdam route. Greater cooperation on drones is also planned, subject to further harmonisation of rules and procedures.
For ports and terminals, the measures are aimed at improving connectivity between major gateways and their industrial and logistics networks while reducing barriers to cross-border infrastructure development.
The ports had previously called for improved energy infrastructure, faster permitting and a level playing field for businesses operating across the region.
The three governments will now take the summit’s conclusions to the European Union, asking the European Commission to recognise ARRRA as a strategic European port-industrial cluster.
They are also calling for faster development of strategic cross-border energy infrastructure, clearer regulation and improved access to funding for major port transition projects.
The Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Rob Jetten, said: “The economic significance of our ports is self-evident. They show that the Antwerp-Rotterdam-Rhine-Ruhr Area is a shining example of what can be achieved with open trade, clean industry and circular innovation when we work together across borders.”
The Prime Minister of Flanders, Matthias Diependaele, stated: “The Netherlands and North Rhine-Westphalia together form Europe’s largest economic and logistical hub. The port and industrial cluster centred around Antwerp, Rotterdam and the Rhine-Ruhr region generates jobs, prosperity, innovation and security of supply. It is precisely because of our interconnections that we are crucial to Europe’s industrial future. Through this Port Summit, we are further fine-tuning that cooperation: less fragmentation, less gold plating and more scope for investments that make our economy more resilient and strategically stronger.”