Jo Van Moer, founder and CEO of Van Moer Logistics, was honored this evening during the annual 'Baanbrekers' event by Multimodaal.Vlaanderen with the prestigious title of 'Multimodal Ambassador 2024'. This recognition underscores his pioneering work and ongoing commitment to sustainable and efficient multimodal transport solutions in Flanders. He received the award from Annick De Ridder, Flemish minister for mobility.
BAANBREKERS
During the annual 'Baanbrekers' event of the Flemish Institute for Logistics (VIL), two Flemish companies and one ambassador are awarded for their exceptional contributions to the logistics sector. The honorary title 'Multimodal Ambassador 2024' was just awarded by Multimodaal.Vlaanderen, an initiative of the VIL, to Jo Van Moer, founder and CEO of Van Moer Logistics. With this title, Jo Van Moer follows in the footsteps of Johan Gemels (DP World Liège Container Terminals), Nick Celis (Group André Celis), Martine Hiel (Hutchison Ports Belgium), and Liesbeth Grieten (H.Essers).
“This award is a recognition of our continuous pursuit of sustainable logistics," says Jo Van Moer, founder and CEO of Van Moer Logistics. "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 via strategic hubs, which not only increases our efficiency but also reduces the ecological impact. It is our mission to continue innovating and collaborating towards a future-proof logistics chain that benefits both the community and the environment."
PRESENTATION BY ANNICK DE RIDDER
The nominees for the title were carefully compiled by a professional and diverse jury, with the public making the final decision to determine the winner. Jo Van Moer had to compete against none other than David Huybrechts (BCTN) and Kathleen Keuleers (MSC Belgium), but the Antwerp entrepreneur ultimately prevailed in the public vote. The award was ceremoniously presented at Technopolis Mechelen by Annick De Ridder, Flemish minister for mobility.
Annick De Ridder said: “Through my past as Antwerp Port Alderman and Chair of Port of Antwerp-Bruges, I have been able to closely follow Jo Van Moer's journey. I know him as a visionary entrepreneur with a unique perspective on multimodality, a pioneer in creating efficient and sustainable transport solutions in Flanders. Jo Van Moer is a genuine entrepreneur who helps ensure that Flanders remains the logistics hub of Europe—a well-deserved winner!”
VISIONARY ENTREPRENEURSHIP
In 1990, Jo Van Moer started his company with just two trucks. He quickly expanded his services and transformed Van Moer Logistics into an integrated logistics service provider. With a forward-looking vision on the increasing congestion problems, he took over an empty container terminal in Grimbergen in 2011. He saw the future potential of a multimodal approach in freight transport.
Despite initial concerns within the transport sector that his focus on inland navigation would compete with road transport, Jo proved the opposite. Today, Van Moer Logistics operates an impressive multimodal network with 500 trucks, 8 inland terminals, 9 inland vessels, and 8 rail-connected locations.
*from left to right: Annick De Ridder - David Huybrechts - Jo Van Moer - Kathleen Keuleers
