Euroports x KMSKA: “Antwerp is more than just the port” 

At the KMSKA, tradition and innovation are in constant dialogue. For Rudi Hanot, Managing Director Belgium, and Kris Dhondt, Commercial Director at Euroports, this dynamic strongly resonates with the world of logistics. For them, partnering with the KMSKA is part of a broader vision of corporate social responsibility that extends well beyond day-to-day port operations.

By associating itself with an iconic institution such as the KMSKA, Euroports aims to show both employees and customers that Antwerp is much more than a port city. It is a cosmopolitan place where history and innovation go hand in hand.

A shared path towards renewal

As a major logistics player specialising in the maritime supply chain, Euroports sees its partnership with the KMSKA as a reflection of shared values and identity. Although the company operates across eight European countries and China, its roots remain firmly anchored in the city on the Scheldt.

Despite operating in very different sectors, Rudi Hanot sees remarkable similarities between Euroports and the museum. Resilience is one of them. “Just as the KMSKA reinvented itself during its years of closure and renovation, Euroports must continually pioneer new approaches in order to remain relevant in a rapidly changing industry,” he explains. The international dimension is another shared characteristic. “The KMSKA is an international icon with a distinctly Antwerp identity. Euroports is much the same, but within the world of ports and logistics.”

More than just the port

According to Kris Dhondt, many employees and customers primarily associate Antwerp with its port. “Twenty years ago, the museum may have been seen as somewhat traditional, but today it is a statement in itself, particularly in the way it makes art accessible,” he says. “By organising guided tours here for our business relations, we can inspire them and demonstrate that Antwerp has been a global player for centuries, far beyond its docks.”

Euroports is also actively involving its employees in the partnership. “For many colleagues, a museum would not necessarily be their first choice for a day out, but that is exactly why it is so valuable,” says Dhondt. “We take them out of their comfort zone with a surprise museum visit and introduce them to culture in an accessible way.”

The company is currently exploring how future family days could evolve into a broader city experience, including a visit to the KMSKA rather than the more traditional destination of a zoo or amusement park. “This gives people the opportunity to discover Antwerp from a different perspective, in a museum that truly invites exploration, also for children and young people.”

Hospitality with a 'hands-on' approach

One of the aspects of the partnership that appealed most to Euroports was the museum team's pragmatic and flexible approach. “In our sector, we are very hands-on,” says Rudi Hanot with a smile. “From our very first conversations with the KMSKA, we immediately recognised that same mentality. Everything was open for discussion, solutions were found quickly, and there was a real willingness to adapt. That fits perfectly with the way we work.”

Looking ahead, Euroports is enthusiastic about the opportunities the partnership will offer over the coming years. The company sees great value in the many practical and tangible benefits of the collaboration. “The possibility of holding shareholders’ meetings or senior management gatherings in such a unique setting will undoubtedly bring a new dynamic to discussions. Through Club Fouquet and exclusive openings, we will also have the opportunity to connect with other business leaders in an informal environment. It is wonderful to be able to engage with the museum in this way as a company,” says Hanot.

A reflection of the port: Anish Kapoor

When asked about a favourite artwork at the museum, Rudi Hanot acknowledges that it would have been an obvious choice to select a historical work linked to the port’s rich heritage. Yet he and Kris Dhondt were drawn to something entirely different.

They found their perfect connection between the worlds of art and logistics in the work of Anish Kapoor. Fittingly, the official signing of the partnership took place beside his striking blue reflective disc.

“It is a powerful work weighing 800 kilograms,” says Hanot. “That sense of strength and solidity immediately resonates with the reality of port operations. The deep blue colour is not only associated with Euroports, but also with water itself and the endless oceans crossed by the ships we work with every day.”

The artwork also revealed an unexpected link to the company’s international character. In Monaco, a similar circular mirror by Kapoor can be found, a coincidence made all the more remarkable by the fact that Monaco is home to Euroports’ CEO and one of its shareholders.