Logistics Flanders participated in an interactive event at Technopolis Mechelen and voted for the submitted innovative multimodal concepts. The winners are: ECS as Baanbreker Spoor, Naval Inland Navigation as Baanbreker Binnenvaart, and Nick Celis as Multimodal Ambassador 2022.
Multimodaal.Vlaanderen, the multimodal advice center of VIL, is the organization behind Baanbrekers.
Nomination by external jury and live voting
Any business that could show that it had made a unique contribution to mobility in Flanders through a project, initiative, or realization was qualified to receive an award. The four nominees, who presented their multimodal project to the public, were chosen by an external panel made up of representatives from the government, academic institutions, and businesses. Using this information, the public cast live votes to determine who would win the prized trophy. Heidi Hendrix, Head of Customer & Product Management at Infrabel, gave the Baanbreker Spoor award. The prize for the Baanbreker Binnenvaart was presented by Chris Danckaerts, managing director of De Vlaamse Waterweg.
Any business that could show that it had made a unique contribution to mobility in Flanders through a project, initiative, or realization was qualified to receive an award. The four nominees, who presented their multimodal project to the public, were chosen by an external panel made up of representatives from the government, academic institutions, and businesses. Using this information, the public cast live votes to determine who would win the prized trophy. Heidi Hendrix, Head of Customer & Product Management at Infrabel, gave the Baanbreker Spoor award. The prize for the Baanbreker Binnenvaart was presented by Chris Danckaerts, managing director of De Vlaamse Waterweg.
Unique initiative in Flanders
The Baanbrekers initiative, which was started in 2019, applauds Flemish businesses who go the multimodal route. The Ambassador Award was personally given by Lydia Peeters, minister of mobility and public works for Flanders: The Federal Planning Bureau predicts a 26% rise in freight transport by 2030. Good for our wealth and economic progress, but also a development that raises concerns about the potential for our highways to become more congested. We must all seek out different options.
And such options exist: in addition to moving toward greater inland waterways and rail travel, we must also green freight transportation. As a government, we must promote alternatives like inland shipping as a dependable and sustainable partner and make investments in them. On the one hand, we must fully commit to the mental shift in our businesses and the logistics sector. Businesses and businesspeople who change the world via actions rather than just words deserve praise.
New edition in 2023
Multimodaal.Vlaanderen continues its mission in the period 2022-2027. That means Baanbrekers will also be firmly on the agenda in the coming years. Companies and individuals can apply in spring 2023.
