On 19, 20, and 21 October, Antwerp Expo opened its doors to the biennial Transport & Logistics Antwerp trade fair. Of course, Transuniverse Forwarding seized the opportunity to be able to welcome its customers – ‘physically’ this time.
The coronavirus measures in place in October were less strict than the current measures, so the entire Transuniverse team could receive customers and relations in an informal but safe setting. ‘The trade fair is the ideal place to meet our customers and suppliers and exchange views on services, new projects, and market developments. After months of digital contacts, it was a relief to everybody,’ says Filip Banckaert, Sales Manager at Transuniverse.
‘The trade fair was also an ideal forum to speak openly about the challenges we are facing. The entire sector is facing a disruption of supply chains, higher costs, inefficiencies at loading and unloading locations, and reduced capacity. We are not expecting to see any light at the end of the tunnel next year. In fact, the shortage of drivers is getting more acute, and we don’t know yet what the consequences of the Mobility Package will be. The second and most important part of this package of new European regulations will take effect in February 2022. Chances are that the load capacity in the market will decrease further, which will have an impact on transport prices,’ Filip says.
As from next year, the Transport & Logistics trade fair will be an annual event. In the even years, it will also take place in Ghent; in the odd years, it will remain in Antwerp. ‘In that case, the event will be a home match for Transuniverse. For customers from East and West Flanders it will be easier to get to the Flanders Expo than to the Antwerp exhibition complex. We noticed they were somewhat deterred by the congestion around Antwerp this year,’ Filip says.
If you didn’t manage to visit our stand in Antwerp, we hope we may welcome you in Ghent in just under a year. The first edition of Transport & Logistics Ghent will be on 13, 14, and 15 September 2022.
