Federal Minister of Energy Mathieu Bihet visited EXMAR on Monday 26 May, followed by the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, for a day in the field dedicated to the challenges of the energy transition. This visit reflects a clear ambition: to build an ambitious energy policy based on innovation, dialogue with businesses and the defence of Belgian interests.
An industry on the move: EXMAR at the forefront of gas transport
The day began with a visit to EXMAR, a leading Belgian company in the maritime transport of liquefied gases (LNG, LPG, ammonia). The Minister met the management and teams responsible for innovative technological projects, illustrating the central role of maritime logistics in Belgian and European energy supply security.
The Port of Antwerp-Bruges: a strategic ecosystem for the transition
The Minister then went to the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, the second-largest port in Europe and the continent's leading export port. This site, home to more than 900 companies, including leaders in the fields of chemicals, gas, oil and hydrogen, is a strategic lever of national energy policy. It embodies Belgium's ability to combine decarbonisation, energy independence and industrial value creation.
Dialogue with stakeholders on the ground
The highlight of the day was the CEO Power Diner alongside the CEOs of several major industrial companies active in the port (BASF, TotalEnergies, Fluxys, ArcelorMittal, …). Discussions covered energy cost challenges, the electrification of usage, and the fiscal and regulatory frameworks. Minister Bihet reaffirmed his commitment to protecting the competitiveness of energy-intensive industries, while ensuring a pragmatic and sustainable energy transition. These exchanges will inform the federal government's upcoming decisions.
A liberal and responsible vision of the energy transition
Minister Bihet holds a clear vision: the energy transition will not happen without businesses, nor against them. Inspired by the values of the Mouvement Réformateur, his policy rests on three pillars:
- Security of supply,
- A lasting reduction in costs for households and businesses,
- Support for technological innovation.
By positioning Belgium as a European energy hub, this strategy reconciles sustainability with economic performance.
“Successfully managing the energy transition will require close cooperation between public authorities and economic actors, as well as the mobilisation of our strategic assets,” concluded Minister Bihet at the end of the visit.