The Autonomous Port of Centre and West (PACO) in Belgium is the youngest of the 4 inland ports of Wallonia.

Created in 2000, it has experienced since its creation an important expansion. In a few figures, it extends along 176km of waterways, more than 72 Ha of port areas, about 60 docks, two owned tri-modal areas and with more than 6.8 million tons transported in 2023. It is classified as the 4th Franco-Belgian port in terms of results.

This has been made possible thanks to numerous projects carried out in close collaboration with the SPW-MI (public service of Wallonia, the development agencies (IDEA, IDETA, IEG), municipalities and of course industrial actors very committed, to using the waterway, as well as to the fields of circular economy, renewable energies, and ecology.

In addition to its extent, it benefits from certain land opportunities and a strategic position in the international network, thanks to its junction with France.

The Seine-Scheldt canal project aims to modernise locks and widen canals to promote river transport for large gauge. This certainly opens great prospects for international collaboration in developing river traffic.

Being a member of EFIP is a great opportunity, both in terms of networking and knowledge sharing between all European inland ports. I discovered during the conferences and meetings organised by EFIP that our objectives are not only common, but that our problems are often the same. These meetings already make it possible to discover and explore new solutions, implemented or to be implemented in other ports.

In addition to the informative monitoring of European regulations, EFIP allows us to be actors of change, in many strategic areas of mobility, economy and Environment particularly on themes such as multi-fuel stations. We have the opportunity to communicate to Europe the regulatory needs that will enable us to be effective in carrying out our missions.

This is essential for PACO, a port committed and partner in many innovative projects. For instance, the first multi-fuel station project in Wallonia is planned for an estimated completion in June 2028.

But other projects are still underway. In terms of urban mobility and urban logistics in Tournai, the PACO 4.0 project is being set up, making the port an integrated digital and green administration. And of course, we are always listening and partnering with our dealers for low-carbon first mile and last mile projects for small-scale navigation, as well as infrastructure development for new propulsion technologies.