In the city center of Antwerp stands a tall and prestigious building : the former headquarters of the CMB : Compagnie Maritime Belge (Belgische Scheepvaartmaatschappij), founded in 1895 in order to provide regular cargo service to the Congo. In the 1930’s new trade routes to North America, South America and the Far East were added. Dry bulk trade and container vessels overtook traditional liner trade routes. In 1988 CMB bought Hessenatie, the largest general cargo and container handling company in Antwerp..
