Katoen Natie has acquired all shares of Harry Vos Feluy, a logistics operator based in Feluy, Belgium. The Antwerp-based logistics group said the deal strengthens its activities in the petrochemical sector. No financial terms were disclosed.
Why this mattersA logistics group adds petrochemical handling capacity in Belgium, upstream of the resin supply chain that packaging converters depend on.
- Katoen Natie acquired 100% of the shares of Harry Vos Feluy.
- The target is located in Feluy, Belgium.
- The acquisition strengthens Katoen Natie's petrochemical sector activities.
- Deal value was not disclosed.
Terminal Cuenca del Plata (TCP), 80% owned by Katoen Natie, is weighing a civil claim for losses it attributes to dockworker stoppages during 2026, which it puts at 379.5 hours of interrupted activity over 45 days between 1 January and 11 September. TCP estimates combined direct and Uruguayan foreign-trade losses could reach tens of millions of dollars, a figure it has not finalised. Talks with the Supra union on a new collective agreement have been unresolved since the previous deal expired in April; the union says the dispute concerns worker guarantees alone and rejects suggestions it serves outside interests.
Why this mattersRepeated stoppages at Uruguay's only container terminal are pushing volumes to the public quays and Buenos Aires while a rival terminal proposal advances.
- TCP recorded 379.5 hours of interrupted activity over 45 days between 1 January and 11 September 2026.
- TCP estimates combined direct and Uruguayan foreign-trade losses could reach tens of millions of dollars; the amount is not final.
- Freight bodies estimated daily losses of USD 400,000-500,000 during the disruptions, with truck queues delayed up to 18 hours.
- MSC moved part of its Montevideo services to its Buenos Aires terminal.
- TCP is 80% owned by Katoen Natie and 20% by Uruguay's National Ports Administration, and is the country's only dedicated container terminal.
- Montevideo's long-haul container volumes rose almost 5% in the first seven months of 2026.
Neltume Ports has submitted to Uruguay's presidency a USD 884m proposal for a second specialised container terminal at the port of Montevideo, designed for 1.15 million TEU a year across 920 metres of berth and about 38 hectares reclaimed from the sea. President Yamandu Orsi said on 16 September that the proposal was good in principle but that the government must analyse constraints, while port authority ANP is to assess feasibility, including the contract clause protecting incumbent Terminal Cuenca del Plata. Neltume Ports, principal shareholder of Montevideo operator Montecon, recently withdrew a claim against Uruguay linked to the state's terminal agreement with Katoen Natie.
Why this mattersA second specialised terminal would end Terminal Cuenca del Plata's exclusivity at Montevideo and add 1.15 million TEU on a main Southern Cone export route.
- The Montevideo Container Terminal proposal totals USD 884m and became known around 10 September 2026
- Planned capacity is 1.15 million TEU a year, with 920 metres of berth and about 38 hectares reclaimed from the sea, without occupying existing public quays
- President Yamandu Orsi said on 16 September 2026 that the proposal was good in principle but that there are constraints to analyse
- ANP will assess feasibility through a multidisciplinary group; the state's contract with Katoen Natie limited a second specialised terminal until Terminal Cuenca del Plata had operated at 85% of capacity for two consecutive years
- Uruguay's administrative court annulled the clause of the 2021 decree that restricted a second terminal, which Neltume Ports argues clears the way for competition at the port
- Neltume Ports denies that shipping line MSC is behind the proposal and projects 1,800 jobs during construction
