23/01/2026
Ports such as Algeciras and Gennevilliers have been visited to gain first-hand insight into the port, logistics, and agro-processing sectors.
A delegation from the public and private sectors of Guyana, together with representatives from Barbados, Antigua and Barbuda, and the wider Caribbean, carried out a study visit to various European ports and institutions linked to the agri-food industry. The aim was to learn about their operations and to exchange experiences and knowledge with European institutions in the port, logistics, and agro-processing sectors.
The visit, promoted by the European Union Delegation (EUD) in Guyana with support from the EUD in Barbados, and managed by FIAP within the framework of the EU-Caribbean Partnership Facility project, is the first initiative to bring together Guyana’s public and private sectors under the European Global Gateway initiative.
Participants were offered a broad perspective on the development and evolution of port infrastructure, its mission, and its management tools. The ports of Antwerp-Bruges and Rotterdam stand out for their large scale, automation, intermodal connectivity, massive container handling capacity, and their role as Europe’s main gateways. Meanwhile, the Port of Algeciras is the leader in the Mediterranean and southern Europe, key due to its strategic location, capacity to handle mega-vessels, and high efficiency, connecting Africa, the Americas, and Asia with the European continent. Spain’s Ports Authority (Puertos del Estado) also participated, providing a comprehensive overview of the strategic position of Spanish ports and their international relevance. The Port of Marseille has consolidated its position as France’s largest maritime commercial hub, while Gennevilliers is the largest inland port in France and the second largest in Europe.
The delegation also had the opportunity to take part in various meetings with both public institutions and private-sector stakeholders. In addition, members of the Caribbean agricultural sector participated in meetings with Wageningen University in the Netherlands and IFAPA (the Institute for Agricultural Research and Training) in Málaga, focusing on sustainable agriculture and greenhouse crops. They also visited the facilities of Americold and the Total Terminal International (TTI) at the Port of Algeciras.
The mission provided participants from Guyana and the Caribbean with valuable exposure to the European port, logistics, and agro-processing sectors, paving the way for future large-scale initiatives and potential collaboration opportunities.
