85% of liquid bulk is transported by water

Within the chemical industry, the storage of liquid raw materials and products is often outsourced to companies specialising in the storage and transport of liquid bulk. These service providers are grouped into a business association called BATO, the Belgian Association of Tank Storage Businesses, part of essenscia.

Their strategic location within the port area means these tank storage companies are mainly geared to transport by water and over 85% of liquid bulk is currently transported by water. Almost 7% is transported by pipeline, nearly 6% by road and the remaining 2% by rail transport. The logistics of liquid bulk is therefore already largely sustainable.