The task force is multidisciplinary and cross-border. In order to obtain a complete picture of port activities, all sectors within the entire port organization are involved. Participants are the Port of Antwerp, Alfaport-Voka, ASV, Cepa, ESPO, Essenscia, the Antwerp Fire Brigade, the Antwerp Maritime Police, the Agency for Maritime Services and Coastal Affairs (MDK), the Flemish Waterways Authority, Belgian Customs and the Cabinet of Flemish Minister of Mobility Lydia Peeters (Open Vld; Flemish Liberals and Democrats).Flemish Liberals and Democrats). The Dutch infrastructure and hydraulic engineering authority "Rijkswaterstaat" is also represented here due to Antwerp's accessibility via the Scheldt.

The port of Antwerp is operational and there are currently no insurmountable problems in operations. Handling at the terminals is running normally, there is sufficient staff available for handling and the arrival and departure of drivers is taking place without any major delays. However, the task force has defined a number of points that are continuously monitored:

• Different approaches in Belgium and the Netherlands: Both Belgians and Flemings act as pilots. While the Dutch approach is based on controlled contamination, the Flemish approach is far more restrictive. Both the Port of Antwerp and the MDK are therefore working on an approach in which the different types of measures are no longer in conflict with each other.
• Headcount: Everything is currently under control here. The availability and commitment of employees are essential for the smooth functioning of all port services. Alternative scenarios are currently being developed for any higher sickness rates in order to ensure that services can continue to be provided. In this context, the task force would like to expressly thank everyone who keeps the port running for their commitment.

These existing regulations and measures were reconfirmed:

• Provision of sufficient cleaning agents in the facilities
• Exchanging documents digitally as far as possible to minimize direct human contact as much as possible
• The crews of the ships and the personnel on the quay will mainly communicate remotely (by radio, telephone)
• As far as possible, compliance with social distancing rules and maintaining a distance of 1.5 meters between individuals

There is currently no decline in the flow of goods in the port of Antwerp. However, fewer ships are expected to call at Antwerp in the coming days and weeks due to the coronavirus outbreak. For example, 15 fewer large container ships will arrive from Asia, which corresponds to a drop of around 115,000 TEU in traffic to and from China.