The Belgian Federation of Steel Distributors and Traders Belmetal expressed concern about the country's particular vulnerability to new EU trade measures.
Belgium is particularly vulnerable due to its role as a sea gate and a distribution center for steel products, the federation said in a statement commenting on the EU measures. It notes that similar problems are likely to affect other European markets with large steel importing ports, including the Netherlands, Germany, France, Italy and Poland.
The port of Antwerp-Bruges is one of the main steel import points to Europe, while the port of Ghent on the North Sea also plays an important role in the international steel trade. Together, these logistics centers handle significant volumes of cargo, which are subsequently distributed to Belgium and neighboring countries.
As a result, Belgian distributors are often among the first to feel the practical effects of changes in import quotas, whether in terms of product availability, supplier selection, lead times, or pricing. Belmetall believes that this system is much more complex than the previous protective regime, as there are currently several quota categories depending on origin and trade status.
"We care about the predictability of supplies," says Cetan Korten Kallanishou, Director of Belmetal. This includes confidence in planning and the availability of specialized steel grades that are not always produced in the EU. "As a result, distributors and their customers may need to plan purchases well in advance, diversify supply chains where possible, and have large inventories to reduce supply chain risks."
Corten emphasizes that "the revised precautionary measures are of strategic importance to our participants, as they directly affect the competitiveness of Belgian steel distributors."
Author: Christian Kel
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