Chennai port Trust, Belgian port signs MoU

Chennai: The Chennai Port Trust and the Belgium-based Port of Zeebrugge have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for cooperation in various fields of marine transportation, port development and for working together as sister ports.

Mr K. Suresh, Chairman of the Chennai Port Trust and Mr Joachim Coens, Chairman, Zeebrugge Port, signed the agreement in the presence of His Majesty Albert II, King of Belgium. It was signed at Business Forum on Port Development and Belgian- Indian co-operation in port activities which was organised by Southern India Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI) and the Federation of Enterprises in Belgium (FEB).

The MoU enlarges the scope of the agreement signed between the two ports in September 2007.

Speaking at the forum, Mr Suresh said that Zeebrugge Port has over the years evolved from coal-based port to a clean port handling containers and cars.

Similarly, the Chennai port is also evolving from handling dirty cargoes such ascoal and iron ore to clean cargoes such as containers and cars.

The Chennai Port Trust is seeking technical support and assistance from Zeebrugge in this regard.

Mr Coens said that through the agreement, the Chennai Port Trust will help Zeebrugge in commercial context and in the marketing efforts in India.