Jo Van Moer, Agristo and ECS win multimodal Job Breakers 2024 awards

On November 26, 2024 more than two hundred logistics and transport professionals descended on Mechelen's Technopolis for the annual Baanbrekers event. During this event - a joint organization of VIL and Multimodal Flanders - both the Groundbreaking Shipper, Groundbreaking Service Provider and Multimodal Ambassador 2024 were announced.

After a welcome address by master of ceremony Liesbeth Geysels - Managing Director of VIL - and a brief introductory presentation by VIL President Danny Van Himste, followed a key note presentation on the topic of synchromodality. Fernando Liesa, Secretary General of the Alliance for Logistics Innovation through Collaboration in Europe (ALICE), explained what synchromodality means and how this phenomenon is radically transforming the logistics and transport sector.

The advance of synchromodality

The attendees discovered an innovative approach in logistics that seamlessly and flexibly coordinates different modes of transport - such as road, rail, barge and sea transport. Fernando Liesa explained how the concept revolves around making the best use of available transportation resources, based on factors such as cost, sustainability and time constraints. By using real-time data and advanced IT systems, logistics companies can quickly switch between transport modes, for example to avoid delays or choose more environmentally friendly options. This flexibility promotes efficiency, lowers transportation costs and reduces carbon emissions.

Following this key note presentation, the awards portion of the Pioneering Event began, with four nominated pioneering Flemish companies - notably Agristo and Vandezande in the Pioneering Shipper category, followed by ECS and Medway Belgium in the Pioneering Service Provider category - briefly introducing themselves. The live voting produced two proud winners:

Winner Pioneering Shipper

The award for Pioneering Shipper 2024 went to Agristo. Their project, in cooperation with Flanders Road Services, saves nearly 450,000 road kilometers annually and reduces CO₂ emissions by 955 tons. By developing an efficient triangular transport between their Wielsbeke and Tilburg sites and the port of Ghent, they are demonstrating that logistics and sustainability can go hand in hand. "At Agristo, we believe that growth should go hand in hand with responsibility. By making the best use of our strategic hubs and putting cooperation at the center, we not only contribute to a cleaner environment but also increase efficiency in our supply chain," said Carmen Wallays, supply chain director at Agristo.

Winner Pioneering Service Provider

In the "Logistics Service Provider" category, ECS won the Pioneer Award. With its impressive modal shift project, the company moves as many as 21,400 trucks a year from road to rail. Innovative train connections between Flanders and both the Czech Republic and southern Germany, not only contribute to reduced CO₂ emissions, but also improve road safety and driver satisfaction. "Our mission is to make intermodal transport the standard in Europe," said Cédric Lanckriet, Sales Manager at ECS. "This award confirms that we are on the right track and encourages us to achieve our ambitious goals of 100 million train miles per year."

Multimodal Ambassador 2024

During the ceremony, the Jo Van Moer, CEO of Van Moer Logistics, honored with the title of Multimodal Ambassador 2024. With his longstanding commitment to modal shift, Van Moer inspires the industry to put more effort into transport via inland waterways and rail. "This award is recognition of our continued commitment to sustainable logistics," said Jo Van Moer. "From the start, I knew that congestion in Flanders would become a major challenge and saw multimodal transport as a solution. With 'The Perfect Flow,' we connect transport modes through strategic hubs, not only increasing our efficiency, but also reducing the ecological impact. It is our mission to continue to innovate and work together to create a future-proof logistics chain that benefits both the community and the environment."

Modal shift crucial for minister Annick De Ridder

Flemish Minister of Mobility and Public Works, Annick De Ridder, personally presented the award for Multimodal Ambassador. In her speech, she emphasized the important role of multimodal transport for Flanders as well as the power of innovation in the sector. "Initiatives like Baanbrekers I can only applaud. I fully support the mission of Multimodaal.Vlaanderen to maximize the shift of the logistics sector from road to inland navigation or rail. In this way we can tackle traffic congestion together and ensure that Flanders can remain a sustainable logistics hub," said Minister De Ridder.