Honoring Governor Carl Decaluwé for Advancing Secure Parking in West Flanders and the EU
Brussels, 11 March 2026 – The European Secure Parking Organisation (ESPORG) proudly announces that Governor Carl Decaluwé of West Flanders has been honored with the ESPORG Lifetime Achievement Award for Safe and Secure Parking Areas (SSPAs).
This prestigious award recognizes his exceptional dedication to enhancing security, safety, and resilience in the road transport and logistics ecosystem across West Flanders and the broader European Union.
The award was presented by Kristian Schmidt, Director for Land Transport at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport (DG MOVE), during the ESPORG Annual Conference on 4 March 2026 at the European Commission in Brussels.
A Legacy of Leadership and Innovation
Governor Carl Decaluwé has served as Governor of West Flanders for over 15 years, with a primary responsibility for public order and safety in the province. Traffic and motorway security have been central to his tenure, encompassing not only traffic flow but also the safety of all stakeholders involved in motorway operations.
His leadership was particularly evident during the 2016 European migration crisis, when migrants sought to reach the UK via cargo lorries from the port of Zeebrugge. In response to the tragic discovery of 39 deceased Vietnamese nationals in a lorry in Essex, UK, in October 2019—a vehicle shipped from Zeebrugge—Governor Decaluwé implemented a strict operational plan. This initiative resulted in a remarkable 95% reduction in the number of transmigrants found in lorries departing from Zeebrugge.
Extending his efforts beyond the port, Governor Decaluwé focused on optimizing security in parking areas along the TEN-T network leading to Zeebrugge, Calais, and Dunkirk.
Collaborating with ESPORG, he identified vulnerabilities in West Flanders’ parking facilities and initiated systematic improvements. These enhancements went beyond physical security to include driver well-being and optimized services among logistics partners.
As a facilitator, Governor Decaluwé has fostered positive interactions between authorities, local communities, and stakeholders, ensuring security measures benefit everyone involved. His work received high-level recognition during the visit of European Commission Executive Vice-President Roxana Minzatu on 4 September 2025, underscoring his decade-long contributions to logistics and transport.
With his retirement scheduled for 1 October 2026, Governor Decaluwé leaves a lasting legacy that will challenge his successor to maintain these high standards.
Quote from Governor Carl Decaluwé
Upon receiving the award, Governor Decaluwé expressed his gratitude:
“It has been a quite surprising but sincere honour for me to receive this Award from ESPORG.
Over the past few years, I have had the opportunity to cooperate with a team of highly motivated, competent and committed collaborators who, under the driving spirit of their general manager, have been able to add real value in increasing safety and security at the parkings along the motorways in West Flanders.
I spontaneously associate the entire ESPORG team with high quality standards and convinced professional dedication, oriented by a vision that is a constant source of inspiration for optimising and securing the integrated logistics chain, connected by its countless partners.”
About the Lifetime Achievement Award
The ESPORG Lifetime Achievement Award honors individuals with outstanding, career-long dedication to advancing Safe and Secure Parking Areas (SSPAs). It celebrates contributions that enhance driver well-being, road safety, supply chain security, and resilience, while supporting economic sectors and benefiting society.
- Leadership & Innovation: Pioneering designs, standards, and technologies for secure parking, including surveillance and access controls.
- Professional Dedication: Lifelong advocacy, education, mentoring, and regulatory improvements for SSPA excellence.
- Societal Impact: Measurable outcomes in safety, efficiency, and resilience for drivers, logistics, and communities.
The Future of Secure Parking
As emphasized by Kristian Schmidt, Director for Land Transport at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport (DG MOVE), during the conference:
“Safe and secure parking areas are not just transport nodes. They are the future energy nodes of the logistics system, becoming natural locations for charging alternative fuel infrastructure. When digitally connected in real time, they can optimize logistics flows, support compliance with driving time rules, and improve supply chain transparency.”
He further noted the importance of quality in improving working conditions and attracting new talent to the profession:
“Quality is not only about infrastructure. It is also about the working conditions and quality of life of professional drivers, and about the long-term sustainability and resilience of the sector.”
The ESPORG Awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award, spotlight leaders and initiatives transforming parking areas into modern, integrated logistics hubs that prioritize security, digital connectivity, energy infrastructure, and high service standards for drivers.
