Wijngaard Natie is now deploying four fully electric trucks for transports within the port. These state-of-the-art vehicles, manufactured by Volvo Trucks, are the first for harbour transports within the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, marking an important step in the transition to a more sustainable and greener future in the transport sector in our country.

The four Volvo FM Electric trucks represent a significant step in sustainable transport. Annually, the trucks will be responsible for more than 8,000 transports in the harbour. This will avoid up to 90 tonnes of CO2 emissions. CEO Peter Van den Eynde emphasises: It is a substantial investment but one that will pay off. The technology works, it is a step forward where sustainability and innovation go hand in hand.

This significant move was graced by the presence of Antwerp’s Alderman for the Port, Annick De Ridder, who also serves as the Chairperson of the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, and Frank Kimpe, Managing Director of Volvo Trucks Belux.

Frank Kimpe shared Volvo Trucks’ global ambition to sell half of their new trucks with battery or fuel cell drive by 2030, with Europe targeting an even more ambitious 70%. He expressed, “We are delighted that Wijngaard Natie has taken this electrification step with Volvo Trucks. In this crucial energy transition, we need everyone in the value chain to make a difference for our planet.”

Full electrification

The investment is part of larger efforts around sustainability being made by Wijngaard Natie. We are aiming for the full electrification of our fleet: in addition to these four electric trucks, there are eight fully electric cranes on the docks, 8 out of 10 of our forklifts are already electric, and by 2027 all our company vehicles will be electric. We are looking at electrifying the quay trucks as well. For the heavier machines, we are of necessity waiting until the technology is available, but that too is definitely coming. The power for all these electric vehicles is produced as much as possible on Wijngaard Natie’s own sites thanks to wind turbines and many solar panels. Thus, in 2022, 43.6% of the company’s total energy consumption came from green energy generated on the site itself. For the site at Vrieskaai, this was as high as 92%.

It was therefore a logical step for Wijngaard Natie to commit to the ‘VOKA charter for sustainable entrepreneurship‘. The port authority continues to strive for innovation and sustainability, with plans not only to generate green energy, but also to green and use purchased power more efficiently, to reduce their emissions and to create less waste, while processing it in a conscious and sustainable way.