AntwerpXL (AXL) 2024 has once again confirmed its status as the must-attend event for the breakbulk, project cargo, heavy lift and RoRo industries. This year’s conference and exhibition welcomed nearly 4,000 attendees from 58 countries, alongside more than 100 exhibitors.

The event was packed with industry-leading sessions, transformative insights and extensive networking opportunities. Highlights included the Port of Antwerp-Bruges Tour, the BusinessRun, North Sea Port’s Oyster Party, WISTA Belgium’s happy and networking hour and the ceremony for the 2024 “40 Under 40” winners. New additions to the programme were the Innovation Zone, Recruitment Day and a Chartering Course, further enriching the experience and value for all attendees.

Key Conference Highlights
The Main Deck conference sessions addressed critical global issues, including shipping challenges, energy transition, sustainability, and digitalisation, with a focus on AI integration. A keynote by Sharanya Kumaramurthy from the Energy Industries Council opened the event, offering insights into the evolving global energy landscape, with an emphasis on cross-sector collaboration and the role of oil and gas contractors in parallel with renewable energy initiatives.

Over the two-day conference, panels featured a range of industry experts, including Siddhi Garodia from Ørsted, Bill Dobie from Sedna, and Al Cotterill of Inchcape Shipping Services, who discussed collaboration in developing sustainable supply chains and the transformative impact of digitalisation.

The automotive sector also took the spotlight, with Dominique Gijbels from GTT Automotive examining logistics challenges in the Benelux region. A vibrant panel featuring Christel Pullens from PortXL, Fulko Roos from Royal3D, Michel Gunsing from GBMS, and Ruben Van Soest from Qargo explored how collaboration between startups and established companies can drive innovation in emission-reduction technologies.

“The fair is a great way to have proper discussions,” says Gabriele Banchio, Global RoRo Specialist at IMT Terminal. “People are relaxed and have time to speak, and I really enjoyed this year’s RoRo focus”

Sustainability and Maritime Decarbonisation
Some of the standout discussions at AXL 2024 revolved around the sector’s key area of interest: maritime decarbonisation. Gavin Allwright from the International WindShip Association emphasised the critical role of wind-powered vessels in achieving International Maritime Organization (IMO) targets. Other industry leaders, including Gudrun Janssens from BIMCO and Joe Bettles from Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping, Johan-Paul Verschuure from Rebel Group and Leif Arne Strømmen from PEAK CSL GROUP highlighted the need for sustainable vessel investments and regulatory frameworks.

Next Generation Talent and Industry Growth
AntwerpXL also placed a strong focus on the future of the industry, celebrating emerging talent with the “40 Under 40” awards.

The main stage hosted a session on recruitment, featuring key speakers like Emma Nash from Tuscor Lloyds UK and Gina Panayiotou from Oceans Area, Louise Tanguy from Logistics United B.V and Marc de Beunje from DHL who discussed strategies for attracting the next generation of professionals into the sector.

At the same time, AXL Job Day provided a hands-on opportunity for recruiters to meet potential candidates, reinforcing the event’s role as a critical hub for professional development.

Fantastic feedback
Attendees were impressed by the scale and quality of the event. “It’s very good to see the big crowd coming back to Antwerp year after year, and a growing scene,” says Jelle Schepens, Senior Port Wind Specialist at Vesta Wind Systems. “The key people are here, you can talk business and also there’s room for innovation. Sustainability is well presented here at the fair, and renewables of course.”

“When we have a show like AXL it gives us the opportunity exchange experiences,” says Igor Alves, Hub Logistics Manager at Hitachi Energy. “Each project requires a different solution. Attending a show like this is extremely important so we can be prepared for all the challenges we might face in our business and in the sector.”

Looking Forward to 2025
With the success of this year’s event, AntwerpXL has cemented its position as an essential event in the breakbulk and project cargo calendar. Plans are already in motion for AntwerpXL 2025, which will take place from 4-6 November 2025 at the Antwerp Expo in Belgium. Don’t miss the opportunity to be part of shaping the future of these vital industries.