Vertical expansion, greener ambitions: AET’s multilevel car park evolution

When, in August 2022, the first multi-storey car park became operational at Antwerp EuroTerminal (AET) – the largest multipurpose terminal in the Belgian port, fully owned by the Grimaldi Group – it marked a milestone in port logistics. This seven-level, 21-metre-high facility, with a total surface area of about 172,000 m² and room for over 9,000 cars, became the biggest single car park in Belgium and a turning point for car handling at Grimaldi’s main port hub in Northern Europe.

Building on this achievement, AET introduced Sections 2 and 3 of the multilevel car park in March 2025, significantly boosting terminal infrastructure and capacity. The expansion provided space for an additional 12,500 cars, bringing the total capacity of the facility to around 22,000 vehicles. These are accommodated across the seven floors of the building, adding an area of 367,000 m² built on just 55,000 m² of land.

The ground floor was designed with a higher ceiling (4.8 m) to accommodate taller vehicles and support value-added services. For enhanced safety, internal ramps are heated to prevent slippery conditions during icy or snowy weather. In addition, cross traffic is eliminated, enhancing operational efficiency and terminal safety.

Sustainable design and energy innovation

More than just a capacity upgrade, the construction and expansion of the multilevel car park embodies AET’s – and the Grimaldi Group’s – sustainability vision by building vertically rather than horizontally, thus preserving land and reducing environmental impact.

The roof of Section 1 is fitted with 8,300 solar panels generating 3.8 megawatts of clean electricity, used primarily to charge hybrid and electric vehicles. This initiative complements a broader portfolio of eco-conscious efforts at AET, including the installation of wind turbines, electric vehicle charging poles, battery energy storage systems, intelligent energy management, and the use of electric forklifts.

Other environmental measures include rainwater buffering and reuse for car washing and container cleaning, hydrogen-powered terminal equipment trials, and the upcoming shore power connection for seagoing vessels, scheduled to be operational in 2026.

Through these initiatives, AET continues to redefine standards for green logistics in Europe and beyond.

Please find the 2nd Quarter revised EU ETS levels, which were incorporated with the New Fuel EU surcharge at the beginning of 2025.

The new Fuel EU Maritime legislation (EU Directive (EU) 2023/959) requires carriers to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 2%.  Grimaldi will use alternative biofuels to meet our commitments under the new regulations.  Such fuels carry a premium which is reflected in our revised surcharge.  Both components will be monitored, and this new combined environmental surcharge will be updated quarterly.

Surcharge covers all voyages bound to / from Europe and for all cargo types;

Please find the 1st Quarter revised EU ETS levels, which have now been incorporated with the New Fuel EU surcharge.

The new Fuel EU Maritime legislation (EU Directive (EU) 2023/959) requires carriers to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 2%.  Grimaldi will use alternative biofuels to meet our commitments under the new regulations.  Such fuels carry a premium which is reflected in our revised surcharge.  Both components will be monitored, and this new combined environmental surcharge will be updated quarterly.

Surcharge covers all voyages bound to / from Europe and for all cargo types;

The EU ETS & EU Fuel surcharges specified above will be in effect from Jan 1 to Mar 31, 2025.
**

Charges are applicable on all Grimaldi trades and should be clarified before engaging in any bookings or quote offers to your shippers.

If you have any questions, please contact your local Grimaldi commercial office.

Please find the level of ETS for the 4th Qtr.

Surcharge covers all voyages bound to / from Europe and for all cargo types;

ETS Surcharges

The ETS surcharges specified above will be in effect from Oct 1 to Dec 31, 2024.
**
Charges are applicable on all Grimaldi trades and should be clarified before engaging in any bookings or quote offers to your shippers.

If you have any questions, please contact your local Grimaldi commercial office.

DUE TO MARKET FLUCTUATIONS GRIMALDI AGENCIES HAVE ADJUSTMENT THE LEVEL OF FUEL SURCHARGE ON ALL CONTAINER HAULAGE UNDERTAKEN AS FROM 1ST AUGUST 2024.

THE NEW LEVEL WILL BE 20%

PLEASE CALL YOUR LOCAL GRIMALDI COMMERCIAL OFFICE
IF YOU REQUIRE FURTHER INFORMATION

Please find the level of ETS for the 3rd Qtr. These remain the same as the 2nd Qtr.

Surcharge covers all voyages bound to / from Europe and for all cargo types;

ETS Surcharges

The ETS surcharges specified above will be in effect from July 1 to Sept 30, 2024, with a re-evaluation for the third quarter scheduled in June.
**
Charges are applicable on all Grimaldi trades and should be clarified before engaging in any bookings or quote offers to your shippers.

If you have any questions, please contact your local Grimaldi commercial office.

On 25 April, just a few days after the delivery of her sister ship Great Abidjan, another ceremony was held at the Hyundai Mipo Dockyard Co. Ltd shipyard in Ulsan (South Korea) for the naming of the Great Casablanca.

She is the fifth in the class of six innovative “G5” class multipurpose ro-ro vessels.

The “G5” class are capable of transporting 4,700 linear metres of rolling freight, 2,500 CEU (Car Equivalent Units) and 2,000 TEU (Twenty Foot Equivalent Units).  Allied with their sizable cargo intake, the “G5” class maintain Grimaldi Groups innovative approach to ecologically friendly shipping, each “G5”  offers a reduction of 43% compared to other Grimaldi multipurpose con-ro ships in CO2 emissions per tonne transported.

The Group look forward to the final delivery of the Great Casablanca and the final naming ceremony of the ‘Great Cotonou’ later this year.

Please find the new level of ETS for the 2nd Qtr. You will not a slight reduction in levels.

Surcharge covers all voyages bound to / from Europe and for all cargo types;

ETS Surcharges

The ETS surcharges specified above will be in effect from April 1 to June 30, 2024, with a re-evaluation for the third quarter scheduled in June.
**
Charges are applicable on all Grimaldi trades and should be clarified before engaging in any bookings or quote offers to your shippers.

If you have any questions, please contact your local Grimaldi commercial office.

DUE TO MARKET FLUCTUATIONS GRIMALDI AGENCIES HAVE ADJUSTMENT THE LEVEL OF FUEL SURCHARGE ON ALL CONTAINER HAULAGE UNDERTAKEN AS FROM 1ST APRIL 2024.

THE NEW LEVEL WILL BE 22%

PLEASE CALL YOUR LOCAL GRIMALDI COMMERCIAL OFFICE
IF YOU REQUIRE FURTHER INFORMATION

In line with Grimaldi Groups continued monitoring of the Bunker market, Grimaldi Lines confirm that BAF for containers on the W.African / Casablanca trade routes will decrease by the below amounts:

BAF will decrease by the following amounts on present levels set in all Container rates

To WAF

BAF ex UK ports: –              GBP 35 per teu

BAF ex European ports: –    EUR  35 per teu

To Casablanca

BAF ex UK ports: –             GBP 25 per teu

BAF ex European ports: –    EUR 25 per teu

Effective for all Container shipments from the 1^st April 2024

For further details of this and other rates offered by Grimaldi Agencies UK Ltd call on

Tel no.  020 7766 9480

GRIMALDI AGENCIES ARE PLEASED TO MAKE A DOWNWARD ADJUSTMENT TO THE PRESENT LEVEL OF FUEL SURCHARGE ON ALL CONTAINER HAULAGE UNDERTAKEN AS FROM 1ST FEBRUARY 2024.

THE NEW LEVEL WILL BE 20%

PLEASE CALL YOUR LOCAL GRIMALDI COMMERCIAL OFFICE
IF YOU REQUIRE FURTHER INFORMATION

On the 20th December 2023 Grimaldi took delivery at the Hyundai Mipo Dockyard Co. Ltd shipyard in Ulsan (South Korea) of the third ro-ro multipurpose unit belonging to the innovative “G5″ class. Her name is Great Tema and will further improve the quality of the maritime transport services offered by the Neapolitan company between Northern Europe and West Africa.

With a length of 250 metres, beam of 38 metres and deadweight of 45,684 tonnes, the design of the Great Tema results from a careful study of the needs of the Group and its customers: thanks to an innovative and completely customized internal configuration, the G5-class ships are capable of transport 4,700 linear metres of rolling freight, 2,500 CEU (Car Equivalent Units) and 2,000 TEU (Twenty Foot Equivalent Units). Compared to the previous G4-class, the new vessels have the same capacity for rolling freight while their container capacity is double.

In addition to loading capacity, the Great Tema stands out on account of her numerous cutting-edge, technological solutions aimed at increasing energy efficiency and reducing environmental impact. Both the main engine and the auxiliary diesel generators will meet the NOx levels imposed by the Tier III regulation, while the integrated propulsion system between rudder and propeller will minimize vortex losses and, consequently, optimize propulsive efficiency and reduce fuel consumption.
The vessel is designed for cold ironing with shore side supply of electricity (where available) as a green alternative to the consumption of fossil fuels during port stays.
Furthermore, the electrical consumption of on-board machinery (pumps, fans, etc.) is reduced thanks to the installation of variable frequency drive devices, while the application of innovative, low friction paints reduces hull resistance, thus increasing efficiency.
Finally, the ship is equipped with hybrid exhaust gas cleaning systems for the abatement of sulphur and particulate emissions.
As proof of her high energy and environmental efficiency, the Great Tema enables a reduction of CO2emissions per tonne transport of up to 43% compared to other Grimaldi con-ro multipurpose ships.

“The entry into the fleet and the operation of ships like the Great Tema brings us ever closer to the major, primary goa lof sustainable transport”, stated Gian Luca Grimaldi, President of Grimaldi Group S.p.A. “Indeed, for years we have clearly and concretely pointed our investments in this direction: to meet our customers ‘needs while further reducing the environmental impact of maritime transport”.