The basis of the certificate is provided by the guidelines that were previously issued by the Port of Antwerp-Bruges for deep-sea cargo and port logistics of temperature-sensitive products. These are based on the global WHO standards, with a specific focus on Europe and maritime activities. The certificate is issued by SGS, an internationally renowned certification organization for the pharma sector. Operational companies, like terminal operators and shipping firms, can apply for the certification to demonstrate their commitment to quality in every aspect of their services.

Flanders is a major hub for life sciences & health. Many multinationals in the sector are based in the region. What’s more, 1 out of 6 medicines exported from the EU to the world starts its global journey in Belgium, mostly in the country’s northern region of Flanders. Meanwhile, half of these medicines are also produced in Belgium.

For reasons of cost-efficiency and sustainability, there’s a growing demand for shipping by reefer container instead of air freight. With 63,000 m² of GDP-compliant warehouses and 9,500 plugs for reefer containers, the platforms in the port areas of Antwerp and Zeebrugge can play an important role in this trend.