Registration Now Open for AntwerpXL 2024

Easyfairs has officially opened registration for this year’s exclusive AntwerpXL (AXL) event at the Antwerp Expo in Belgium, taking place from 8 October to 10th 2024. This year is expected to be bigger and better than ever, with over 80% of the exhibition space already sold and over 94% of last year’s attendees expressing their intent to return. The premier conference and exhibition is a key maritime and logistics event dedicated exclusively to the breakbulk, project cargo, heavy lift and Ro-Ro sectors. Responding to our attendees’ survey last year, we have extended the opening hours and added a closing party for even more networking opportunities.

Last year, AXL attracted over 3,800 members of the breakbulk community from 66 countries. This event provides a unique opportunity for attendees to showcase innovative technology, overcome industry challenges and build relationships based on trust. Participants have the chance to network, create valuable connections and learn from industry leaders, making it a vital event for those involved in the breakbulk, project cargo and heavy lift sectors.

This year’s exhibition will welcome several industry giants, including S&P Global, Rebel Group and Hitachi Energy, who will drive the main deck conference stage programme. The panels will delve into critical sectoral issues and key topics, including decarbonisation, fuels of the future, market updates, trends and strategies for attracting the next generation of professionals. These sessions are key for anyone looking to drive progress and innovation within their business.

The 2024 edition will also focus more on the RoRo market. “With the industry facing multiple challenges, including port congestion, fire hazards surrounding electric vehicles, and permitting challenges, AXL is the perfect opportunity for the sector to come together to try and address these,” explains Margaret Dunn, AXL’s portfolio director.

“We look forward to welcoming car, high and heavy and other vehicle manufacturers to the show. Across the three days, they will have the time they need to discuss their current environmental, geopolitical and regulatory concerns and build relationships with RoRocarriers and ports across the globe.”

A special drinks reception will also be hosted at the event for the AXL 40 Under 40 campaign winners, celebrating their significant contributions and underscoring AXL commitment to nurturing the next generation of industry innovators and leaders. The AXL 40 under 40 accolade honours the best, brightest, and bravest young professionals who have demonstrated exceptional potential or achieved remarkable success, positioning them as the rising stars of the breakbulk and heavy lift industry.

This year, attendees can also participate in the 54th Business Run, a unique event that combines running, networking, and charity. Participants can choose between a 4K or 9K run around the beautiful city of Antwerp, making it an excellent opportunity to give back while forging valuable connections.

The logistics manager from ArcelorMittal commented on AXL success in 2023: “We met all the right people at the right time; it was great quality, and we will definitely be attending this year’s event.” The logistics manager from Ferrum NV agreed, “We enjoyed attending AXL and will definitely be coming back this year; it was a great networking event.”

Register here for more information and to visit or Exhibit at AXL 2024

AXL was first held in 2019 and quickly became a key event in the maritime and logistics calendar. After its successful inaugural edition, the exhibition continued to grow despite interruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, returning stronger in subsequent years. The event is strategically located in Antwerp, home to one of the largest ports in Europe, making it an ideal venue for an exhibition focused on breakbulk and project cargo. AXL returns in 2024 to bring the breakbulk community together again to showcase innovative technology, overcome industry challenges, and build trust-based relationships.

Venue Antwerp expo Opening times:

08 October 2024 16:00 – 20:00
09 October 2024 10:00 – 20:00
10 October 2024 10:00 – 16:00

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Bigger & Better: AntwerpXL ’23

 

Bulk handling forces combine

Two bulk handling specialists have joined forces to combine their sixty years of experience to offer the sector a total-solution combining industry design expertise and established manufacturing skills.

Specialist hydraulic manufacturer, Advanced Actuators and engineering designers, Ashton Bulk, have already fulfilled two multi-million pound contracts together for major clients in the bulk handling industry. They are now specialising in wagon tippling technology offering a full consultation and design service, along with the manufacturing facilities, creating a turnkey service solution. Mechanical, hydraulic and electrical design, intelligence and control systems can now be provided under one contract making customers’ projects much easier to manage.

Managing director of Advanced Actuators, Chris Woodhead, explains: “We have found from working together in the past that we offer complimentary services and work really well together. We’re aware of a gap in the market for a one-stop-shop where consultants can find experts to deliver their entire bulk handling projects from consultation, delivery and installation through to testing and commissioning. In short, we’re offering the brains and the muscle under one roof.

“We’re seeing a growing trend towards the use of tipplers over bottom dumpers in industries such as power, steel and ports, wherever unloading and stockyard equipment is used. It can be very costly to buy and maintain a fleet of bottom dumping wagons and tipplers tend to be more cost-effective and able to handle trickier loads such as outsized, frozen or sticky materials. We’re now able to service that market from end-to-end.”

The two companies first worked together in 2017 to deliver high-capacity train unloading systems for projects in South Africa and Guinea.

Joe Dudman, projects director at Ashton Bulk, adds: “Since teaming up with Advanced Actuators, we can provide all the expertise that engineering consultants need in one place. By carefully selecting a supplier at specification stage, it’s possible to save significant amounts of money, simplify the process with less suppliers, and ensure longer lifespan of plant.

“Well-made and maintained equipment designed to recognised design standards should last for up to 40 years, but those who have chosen to buy cheaper products from China and India in recent years will find that they will be replacing them much sooner than they should and any downtime is going to be incredibly expensive. Therefore, it’s recommended quality plant is specified from the very beginning of a project to avoid delays and expenses associated with repairs and replacements.

“We’re a smaller partnership than some of the big players, and that allows us greater flexibility and we’re much more willing to travel globally and to remote locations to provide a truly personal service and reaction times you are less likely to receive from larger organisations.”

Advanced Actuators has clients in the oil and gas, bulk handling, power, water and nuclear sectors such as Shell, Petronas, EDF Energy and BP, supplying standard and bespoke hydraulic engineering and servicing across the globe, including Europe, India the Middle and Far East.
Ashton Bulk provides engineering design and project management solutions to the bulk materials handling industries throughout the world and have engineers with experience dating back 50 years.

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