Euroports is one step ahead of the liberalization of the European sugar market with new investments in Antwerp and Le Havre

The upcoming liberalization of the European sugar market by the end of this year will have a big impact on the sugar industry. In order to meet the expected growth and increasing expectations of its customers, Euroports is investing in its existing sugar terminals in Antwerp (Belgium) and in Le Havre (France). Both investments will expand the available storage and handling capacity, and will further enhance the quality of the handling of the goods.

Euroports is currently also investing almost € 30 million in its existing sugar terminal in Antwerp and is also considering further investments to meet demands for extra capacity, which will only increase in the near future thanks to the liberalization of the European sugar market.

Sucre Océane, the joint venture of Euroports and SHGT, which is specialized in bulk sugar logistics, is increasing the capacity of its sugar terminal in Le Havre with an investment of € 12.5 million. Sucre Océane handles and stores sugar for some of the largest players in the sector: Tereos, Cristal Union and the Saint-Louis Sucre cooperative groups.

Sucre Océane wants to triple its inbound and outbound handling capacities by investing in truck pit, conveyor belt and elevator equipment. With new installations to unload pits, regulate hoppers and bagging lines, the company expects to increase the number of export containers to 7,000 per year. The investments will increase the total storage capacity from 45,000 to 60,000 tons. The construction works at Le Havre are expected to be finished in July, which is well ahead of the start of the new sugar campaign early September.

"The investments confirm Euroports’ long-term commitment to the sugar industry in Europe. We are confident Euroports will be able to meet the increasing expectations of its customers after the sugar market liberalization later this year.” says Charles Menkhorst, Group CEO Euroports.

About Sucre Océane

Sucre Océane was established in 1987 by the port terminal operators SHGT and the Euroports group. The Le Havre site currently has a storage capacity of 45,000 tons, divided into three silos of 15,000 tons each. For the loading of containers and road tanks, the company offers all types of sugar packaging (bulk liners, big bag, 50 kg bags). It has set up a HACCP quality system adapted to the requirements of European customers (Hazard analysis and critical control points).It has equally obtained the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) certification, promoting customs simplification, security and supply chain security and the FSSC 22000 certification, which represents excellence in agri-food safety.