A joint venture between Conti-Lines Group and Seafrigo is set to build a sustainable warehouse for frozen foods, with space for more than 40 pallets on its 000ha site.

Conti Seafrigo Antwerp (CSA) has acquired a concession in Nieuwe Westweg, near Bevrijdingsdok in the Port of Antwerp, an investment that the Port of Antwerp-Bruges says further strengthens the cold chain segment in the port.

The concession will be the location for a new state-of-the-art food logistics platform, with Seafrigo Antwerp NV assuming responsibility for operations and the processing and storage of a wide range of chilled and frozen perishables.

“This new investment will provide great added value within the Port of Antwerp-Bruges cold chain segment,” said William Demoor, vice president of customer relations at the Port of Antwerp-Bruges. “With its clear sustainability ambitions, Antwerp Cold Stores Seafrigo’s strategy is fully in line with our own long-term vision.”

The port said that the development of a frozen warehouse would allow the CSA alliance to expand its maritime network through strong international partnerships.

“The warehouse offers essential added value for the Antwerp cold chain segment given the very high utilization rate in temperature-controlled warehouses and the current high market demand,” he said.

“The 25-meter high-bay warehouse will be equipped with a new IT system that, combined with inspections via drones, will ensure greater safety and overall efficiency in the workshop,” the Port revealed.

He added that sustainability was also a high priority for the parties involved. “In addition to using solar panels and heat pumps, hydrogen-powered vehicles are being examined,” the Port explained. “We are also looking at whether waste heat can be used to heat our own buildings. “In addition, the new building meets the ‘very good’ label of the BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) principles.”