The Port of Liège confirms its role as a river-sea port thanks to the extension of SOMEF's ISPS certification

PRESS RELEASE

 

Liège, February 2, 2026

 

 

 

The Port of Liège confirms its role as a river-sea port thanks to the extension of SOMEF's ISPS certification

 

 

 

With annual traffic of around 16 million tons, the Port of Liège is the third largest river port in Europe and the only port in Wallonia with the status of an inland seaport, which it has held since its creation in 1937. The extension of the ISPS (International Ship and Port Facility Security) certification of SOMEF, a concessionaire based in the Port of Monsin, one of the 33 areas managed by the Autonomous Port of Liège, is fully in line with the Port of Liège's strategy of promoting efficient, safe, and sustainable logistics solutions that serve the regional and European economy.

 

The Port of Liège is fully confirming its role as a seaport thanks to the extension of SOMEF's ISPS certification. This international certification has been renewed for a period of five years, until December 2030.

 

This international certification, issued under the authority of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), attests to the compliance of the maritime security system implemented by SOMEF with the most stringent port security standards.

 

Its renewal allows the Port of Liège to continue to welcome seagoing vessels, in particular river-sea cabotage vessels.

 

Its renewal allows the Port of Liège to continue to accommodate seagoing vessels, particularly river-sea coasters, and ensures the continuation of strategic activities such as the export of steel products and the import of glass, particularly those from ArcelorMittal and Knauf, via the covered dock at Monsin. Nearly fifty coastal vessels are welcomed annually at the covered dock, representing traffic of nearly 100,000 tons annually.

 

ISPS certification is granted following an in-depth risk analysis (Port Security Assessment) conducted by the Local Maritime Security Committee, which brings together all the relevant authorities (federal and local police, customs, state security, intelligence services, port and river managers). It is also based on a port security plan drawn up by SOMEF and approved at national level by the National Maritime Security Authority (ANSM).

 

To date, SOMEF is the only company in the Port of Liège to have ISPS accreditation, confirming its key role in the development of river and maritime navigation in Liège.

 

 

 

 

Strategic recognition for the Port of Liège

 

"The extension of SOMEF's ISPS certification is excellent news for the Port of Liège. It confirms the high level of security of our facilities and our ability to safely accommodate seagoing vessels. This renewal strengthens the Port of Liège's position as a leading multimodal logistics platform in Europe, capable of offering direct links between inland and maritime ports," emphasizes Mr. Willy Demeyer, President of the Autonomous Port of Liège.

 

According to Thierry Diederen, Managing Director of SOMEF, "the extension of SOMEF's ISPS certification confirms the strategic role of the Port of Liège in river-sea logistics and confirms its ability to offer direct door-to-door connections between the Port of Liège and other inland or seaports in Europe and the British Isles. This certification is an undeniable plus, a major asset, for the development of our company's activities, but also for the Port of Liège."

 

 

 

Press contact  Hélène Thiébaut, Communications Officer - Port of Liège   Tel: +32 475 59 63 06 – 04 232 97 85 [email protected]

 

Images available and downloadable from our website https://www.portdeliege.be/fr/photos-videos  (under the heading “Ile Monsin”).