Antwerp + America

After 1800 the trip from Europe to the New World began in a warehouse in Antwerp for many people. With their whole life packed in a few suitcases they sailed to the United States. The Red Star Line ocean steamers paved the way to a new life for about two million men, women and children between 1873 and 1934. Amongst the many famous passengers Albert Einstein was a regular guest on the Red Star Line Steamers.

The Red Star Line was an ocean passenger line founded in 1871 as a joint venture between the International Navigation Company of Philadelphia, which also ran the American Line, and the Société Anonyme de Navigation Belgo-Américaine of Antwerp, Belgium. In 2013 the Red Star Line-museum opened its doors in Antwerp.
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The economic lay-out of the wider region of Antwerpen-Waasland is unique in Europe: a world renowned port, a (petro)chemical cluster and a world trade center for diamond all on one surface. Antwerp’s dockland is made up of five oil refineries which have lead to a substantial focus on petro-chemical industries in the city. With four nuclear plants at Doel, power generation is also an important industry in Antwerp.

Antwerp is the biggest port area in the world. Over the centuries, the area grew to exactly 12,068 hectares, or about 20,000 football fields. The port connects Antwerp, Flanders, Belgium and Europe with the world. Antwerp is the fifth-largest bunkering port in the world.

It therefore has an important role to play in the transition from fossil fuels to renewable sources of energy for shipping. The companies that operate at the port have to take measures to reduce pollution of the air, the water and the soil. Drones on land, in the water and in the air will make it easier in the future to conduct inspections and carry out logistical tasks in the port. For more info on the port of Antwerp click here.

The other main industry of Antwerp is its diamond trade. It has four diamond bourses of which one is for boart and other three for polished, ready to export gems. Although Jewish traders are dominant in the diamond industry, in recent times, Indian and Armenian traders are also becoming increasingly influential. The World Diamond Centre in Antwerp plays an important role in setting principles for professional ethics and promoting Antwerp as the diamond capital of the world.
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The Antwerp America Foundation (AAF) is based in Antwerp, Belgium’s second largest city with access to an important European sea port. Known for its global diamond trade hub, Antwerp houses the University of Antwerp (UA), one of the major Belgian universities. The central location of Antwerp allows AAF-speakers to travel easily from other destinations: By TGV Antwerp is only 1hour 12 minutes away from Amsterdam, 2 hours away from Paris and a short trip away from London by Eurostar. Antwerp also has its own airport.