Breakbulk Europe 2021 has been cancelled. Large scale events in Germany are still prohibited and these restrictions are unlikely to be removed in time for the event to take place, organiser Hyve Group states. The next edition in 2022 will be held in Rotterdam.

 “While we considered moving the event to later in the year because Breakbulk Americas is taking place in late September and our next Breakbulk Europe event is planned for May 2022, we have decided, in consultation with our customers, that a full year cancellation is the best decision for all concerned, particularly since travel restrictions are likely to remain in place for some months to come”, explains Nick Davison, portfolio director Breakbulk at Hyve Group.

“Further, we have recently been informed that the venue has agreed with local authorities that given events are not permitted to take place at this time, the venue can be used as a vaccine facility, likely through to the end of August”, Davison adds.

Rotterdam

This was the last edition planned to be held in Bremen for now. Next year’s event will be held in Rotterdam at Rotterdam Ahoy, close to the Port of Rotterdam. The move of the event to Rotterdam had been announced previously, as Breakbulk Europe’s plan is to rotate the event among leading maritime cities.

“We intend to hold the event at this location for two years, and then consider other options for 2024”, Davison says. Danny Levenswaard, breakbulk director at the Port of Rotterdam Authority, says the move to the port confirms Rotterdam’s status as the maritime capital of Europe. “Hosting Breakbulk Europe in our city fits in very well with our strong ambition to be leading in breakbulk and our willingness to invest in this position”, he says.

The venue at Rotterdam Ahoy will include six halls offering an additional 5.000 square meters to meet the pent-up demand from the industry to meet as one after a two-year event hiatus, states Hyve Group. The event is scheduled to take place on 17-19 May 2022.