Picanol reduces CO2 emissions with modal shift to barge transportation

Picanol has been committed for many years to making its production processes ecologically and socially sustainable. From now on, the transport of our weaving machines for export via the Port of Antwerp will be largely done by barge, which results in a potential CO2 reduction of 44%.

Picanol’s export shipments for sea freight are loaded in containers in Ieper (Belgium). Until now, these containers were transported by truck to the ports of Antwerp or Zeebrugge for shipment worldwide. Earlier studies carried out in 2017 and 2019 showed that the modal shift – in other words, the shift to other modes of transport – was not yet a fully-fledged alternative. However, subsequent analyses resulted in two successful multimodal tests taking place in 2022. These were done in consultation with Group-GTS, De Vlaamse Waterweg, Multimodaal Vlaanderen, POM West Flanders, and the shipping companies involved.

From now on, whenever possible, empty containers will be picked up at the inland depot in Wielsbeke and then loaded in Ieper. The full export containers will then be transported from Ieper to the River Terminal Wielsbeke, where they will be transported by barge to the Port of Antwerp.

For each round trip, 180 kilometers less will be driven on Flemish roads, which corresponds to a reduction of 61 kg CO2 over the entire multimodal route. And our goal is to expand this further in the future. We see a potential reduction of more than 60% in road kilometers and 44% in CO2 emissions. This means a potential annual reduction of 604,800 kilometers on Flemish roads and 612 tons of CO2.