The Port of Antwerp-Bruges has chosen Milence, a joint venture between Daimler Truck, Volvo Group, and the TRATON GROUP, to develop two charging hubs at the Truck Parking Goordijk and Ketenis.
The Antwerp Port hubs, which are set to debut in May 2024, will consist of two plots with a total of 30 charging bays. In the second phase of development, the number of charging bays will be expanded.
The two charging hubs will reportedly be equipped with 15 high-performance Combined Charging System (CCS) chargers offering up to 400 kilowatts (kW) of charging power.
Milence also intends to make the switch to Megawatt Charging System (MCS) technology as soon as it is ready.
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According to Port of Antwerp, Milence is developing its network with a focus on creating green corridors for road transport connecting key logistics hubs, major ports and airports.
Milence noted that the purpose of these charging hubs is to accelerate the transition to electric transport by building a reliable and safe charging network for electric heavy-duty trucks.
With this collaboration, Port of Antwerp-Bruges and Milence aim to remove one of the major hurdles for transport firms to make the switch to electric trucks.
The Port of Antwerp-Bruges revealed that the Flemish Ministry of Mobility and Public Works (MOW) granted a project subsidy for this project.
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Anja van Niersen, CEO at Milence, said: “I was very happy to reach this agreement between Milence and Port of Antwerp-Bruges as I believe it marks the beginning of a new era in sustainable transport.
“The development of a 30-bay charging hub for heavy-duty vehicles demonstrates our strong belief that electrification is the clear solution for heavy-duty road transport and our bold commitment to the future of green logistics and clean energy.”
Annick De Ridder, Vice-Mayor of the City of Antwerp and President of the Board of Directors of Port of Antwerp-Bruges, stated: “Our two truck parks in the Antwerp port, Goordijk and Ketenis, will be equipped by Milence with 15 high capacity chargers for electric trucks.
“It will make these truck parks an essential link in electric truck transport. At the same time, this will also remove an important barrier for domestic and foreign transporters to make the switch to electric trucks.”
