MSC PSA European Terminal (MPET) and DP World Antwerp Gateway are due to extend their truck gate opening hours to 24h on weekdays, in a bid to spread the flow of trucks more efficiently.

Quays 1700 (Antwerp Gateway) and 1742 (MPET) will be open non-stop from 05.00h (Antwerp Gateway) and 05.30h (MPET) from Monday morning to 05.30h on Saturday morning. Currently both Antwerp Gateway and MPET are open from 05.00h to 21.30h.

DP World Antwerp Gateway handles some 1700 trucks per day and MPET around 2600 per day. Analysis has shown that the handling time at both terminals tends to get longer from 11.00h onwards, with a peak at 17.00h. After 19.00h the number of trucks drops considerably, so calling later in the day yields significant time savings; permitting deliveries and collections at night will further extend this "quiet period."

Unlike some well-known extended hours regimes elsewhere, trucking firms themselves reportedly asked for the opening hours to be extended, and shippers and forwarders are also in favour of the initiative.

For example, Jo Van Moer, CEO of Van Moer Logistics, is quoted: “Reliability and punctuality are vital to our customers. We are pleased that structural measures are being considered so that we can serve our customers and warehouses outside the congestion hours. We support this 100%, and we count on the collaboration of all stakeholders who can contribute to its success.”

The initiative for the measure comes from the terminal operators, along with MSC, and is supported by the wider port community. However, warns Antwerp port authority, "in order to make a success of the 24/5 opening it is essential for everyone to cooperate. Support from shippers and logistics service providers is crucial, for example by also extending the opening hours of warehouses both inside the port and beyond it. It is hoped that shipping operators, too, will show more flexibility."

At MPET, Medrepair will also adopt the extended opening hours as of 1st April. Global Container Services, the EC depot for Antwerp Gateway, is holding back for the moment, but is already open from 05.00h to 21.30h.

However, Antwerp Gateway's block stack (park 3 on quay 1700) will also be open 24/5 so that trucks can call there for ECs.

"Since the Customs desk will not be open at night, at least for the time being, it is very important for the necessary administrative arrangements for containers to be settled, such as pre-registration and clearance," states the port authority.