Milence, the joint venture between Daimler Truck, the TRATON GROUP, and Volvo Group, has unveiled its largest charging hub to date at the Port of Antwerp-Bruges in Belgium.
The inauguration ceremony, attended by Maroš Šefčovič, Executive Vice-President for the European Green Deal, highlights the significance of this development in advancing sustainable transport infrastructure.
The Port of Antwerp-Bruges, with a total throughput of 289 million tonnes per year, is a vital hub for global trade.
Its strategic location and excellent connectivity make it an ideal location for a key node in the Milence network.
Anja van Niersen, CEO of the company, emphasized the strategic importance of this new hub, stating: “With this strategic addition to the network, Milence’s future roadmap is taking shape.”
“Situated on the Rhine-Alpine corridor, one of the busiest freight routes in Europe, it brings the charging infrastructure where it is most needed to enable sustainable transport of goods across the continent,” she adds.
Jacques Vandermeiren, CEO of the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, underlined the importance of charging infrastructure in the electrification of road transport.
He expressed his hope that this initiative will inspire other ports and logistics areas to take similar actions.
Two years ago, Milence committed to accelerating the transition to electric road transport with the rollout of Europe’s first large-scale public charging network.
The new charging hub at truck parking Ketenis, with ten Combined Charging System (CCS) chargers powering twenty bays with up to 400 kilowatts (kW) of power per bay, represents a significant milestone for Milence, being its first hub in Belgium and its largest in Europe.
A second hub at truck parking Goordijk, with five CCS chargers powering ten bays, is planned to open later this year.
The company plans a swift transition to Megawatt Charging System (MCS) for both hubs as soon as the technology is available.
To ensure accessibility for every truck on the market, it has signed agreements with several major eMobility Service Providers (eMSPs) in Europe, with plans to expand this network further.
Milence has also developed a user-friendly app for its customers, allowing them to easily locate a charger and pay for charging sessions. Direct payments will also be available via a payment terminal.
The new hub offers amenities for truck drivers to ensure a comfortable stop while charging, including fenced and secured parking, illuminated areas with camera surveillance, Wi-Fi, sanitary facilities, and vending machines for snacks and drinks.
The station at truck parking Ketenis, together with the upcoming hub at truck parking Goordijk, contributes to the green corridor initiative between the ports of Antwerp and Bruges, enabling the use of electric heavy-duty vehicles.
This initiative aligns with the broader effort by the Port of Antwerp-Bruges to become a leader in sustainable port operations globally, with a clear commitment to become carbon neutral by 2050.
Annick De Ridder, President of the Board of Directors of Port of Antwerp-Bruges, emphasized the importance of these charging hubs in facilitating the switch to electric vehicles.
She states: “Together with Milence, we remove an important barrier for domestic and foreign transporters to switch to eTrucks.”
The firma is committed to sustainability in its infrastructure development, aiming to lower CO2 emissions through innovative solutions such as concrete paving and using wood elements in the distinctive Milence arch and canopies for a 30-year lifespan.
Anja van Niersen concluded: “This hub represents a significant step towards realizing our vision for the future of fossil-free road transport. A future that starts here, today, and we are proud that Milence is leading the way.”
