On September 10th, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem met with Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever in Antwerp to reinforce cooperation against transnational maritime drug trafficking. Discussions focused on intelligence sharing, deployment of scanning technologies, and the growing risks linked to criminal infiltration in port logistics. Antwerp, one of Europe’s main entry points for cocaine shipments, was highlighted as a critical hub in these efforts. Noem and Belgian prime minister discuss in Antwerp thwarting drug smuggling.
For FEPORT, such initiatives confirm the importance of tackling drug trafficking through a Supply Chain Alliance against Drugs, as advocated in recent FEPORT contributions to the EU Ports Strategy. This approach goes beyond the port perimeter, involving maritime routes, hinterland corridors and digital systems, and requires strong public-private partnerships across the entire logistics chain.
