Amsterdam Seaports no 3 2011

AMSTERDAM BEVERWIJK IJMUIDEN ZAANSTAD

AMSTERDAM SEAPORTS

Special Issue

International cargo destinations

2011/nr3

Innovation:

New shore radar system enhances ship safety

Amsterdam Seaports Record number of cruise ships calling

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Amsterdam Seaports

Contents Special issue

International Cargo Destinations While oil products and coal are the main cargo flows in Amsterdam Seaports, the seaports on the North Sea Canal have much more to offer then wet and dry bulk alone. Prime examples include RoRo, agri-bulk, containers and project cargo. But where are alle these goods from and where do they go?

You'll find the answers in this special edition on international cargo destinations.

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5

Growth and innovation

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News in brief

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News in brief

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Amsterdam Seaports: Spider in the oil web

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CSY IJmuiden: European hub for

Coal from Amsterdam

frozen fish

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A hub in international RoRo transport

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Amsterdam Seaports invests in rail

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Fast forward to the next thousand ships

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‘Every new crane should be better than

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the last’

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IJmuiden: The offshore industry’s trump card

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Cover photo: Although the people of IJmuiden, part of Amsterdam Seaports, are used to seeing special sea transports, 60-ton gantry crane for OBA Bulk Terminal that passed through the locks was no everyday event. The transport of the 2,150 ton weighing crane was realised by cargo vessel Zhen Hua 26. owned by Zhenhua Port Machinery Co (ZPMC) in Shanghai. Photo: Ed Seeder

‘New’ customs ensure effiective cargo checks

Colophon: Publisher: Amsterdam Ports Association De Ruijterkade 7, 1013 AA Amsterdam The Netherlands Telephone + 31 (0)20 - 627 37 06 Fax +31 (0)20 – 626 49 69 E-mail: amports@amports.nl Website: www.amports.nl

New shore radar system for a better overview

Managing director: Laura Keegstra Chief editor: Bart Stam Translation: Writewell: Andrews Rogers, Akke Pinkster Layout: Fizz reclame+communications, Meppel (NL) Printed by: Ten Brink, Meppel (NL)

www.amports.nl

Advertisers: 08 AYOP 28 CWT Sitos 06 KVSA 20 MegaBarging 20 Oiltanking 20 Specialised Tanker Services (STS) 02 SGS 14 Ter Haak Group 04 VCK Logistics 06 Waterland Terminal

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Port of Amsterdam +31 20 58 77 877 - info@vcklogistics.nl Port of Rotterdam +31 10 494 37 77 - info.ocean@vcklogistics.nl Amsterdam Airport Schiphol +31 20 65 49 100 - info.air@vcklogistics.nl www.vcklogistics.nl

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Amsterdam Seaports

Growth and innovation Amsterdam has been the fourth largest port in Europe for a number of years now and the excellent half-yearly figures announced in mid-August give no reason to believe that this position is under threat. On the contrary, with an overall growth of three percent to over 46 million tons, the four ports along the North Sea Canal have achieved a superb result, especially when you compare to other nearby ports.

in both ports, which was further enhanced this spring with the deepening of the channel leading to the IJmond harbour in IJmuiden. This allows cruise vessels of up to 300 metres in length to dock with ease.

Without wishing to do other sectors an injustice, we can safely assert that oil products, cars/RoRo and sea cruises have made a particularly important contribution to the growth in Amsterdam of no less than 5.7 percent. Moreover, the near future also looks rosy with the new Vopak terminal (capacity of 1.2 million m3) about to become operational. And while being less spectacular in terms of volume, the newbuild projects by Gulf Oil and Hydrocarbon Hotel are also strengthening Amsterdam Seaport’s position in the international oil product branch. Add in the Vopak terminal and we have undoubtedly become the most important petroleum port in the world.

Modern ports also require first class nautical services.

With this in mind, may I draw your attention to the article on page 21 of this magazine about the new shore radar system that will be ready by the end of this year. This will take the safety of ships in the North Sea Canal to a new level while also providing optimal communication between the officers on the bridge and the shore-based authorities. There is no better example of the commitment to innovation that so typifies the Amsterdam Seaports!

The number of cruise ships arriving in Amsterdam and IJmuiden continues to grow.

This year we will welcome 149 calls while in 2012 the Passenger Terminal Amsterdam (PTA) and Felison Terminal in IJmuiden expect to accommodate an all-time combined record of 193 cruise vessels. This can be partly attributed to the superb infrastructure

Michiel A. Wijsmuller, chairman Amports

AMSTERDAM SEAPORTS OfďŹ cial publication on behalf of the ports of Amsterdam, Beverwijk, Ymuiden and Zaandstad.

Published 4 times a year in English: by Amsterdam Ports Association (E-mail: amports@amports.nl - www.amports.nl)

Mor e a b o u t A m s t e r d a m P o r t s A s s o c i a t i o n a n d i t ' s 3 0 0 m e m b e r s : w w w. a m p o r t s . n l

www.amports.nl

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Stevedore and Terminal operator

In the largest All Weather Terminal of Europe transferring vulnerable products like steel, timber and paper no longer depends on dry weather conditions.

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Elbaweg 10 - 1044 AD Amsterdam The Netherlands T +31 20 44 80 620 E kantoor@waterlandterminal.nl W www.waterlandterminal.nl

NEWS IN BRIEF New managing director for Amports Laura Keegstra. Photo by Martin Hendriksen

Amsterdam Seaports: modest transhipment rise in first half of 2011 Amsterdam Seaports saw transhipment increase by 3% in the first six months of 2011. Together the four ports along the North Sea Canal Area (Amsterdam, IJmuiden, Beverwijk and Zaanstad) processed over 46 million tons of cargo.

The transhipment of the Amsterdam port added up to 37.5 million tons, a 5.7% rise compared to the first half of 2010. Transhipment in Beverwijk picked up by about 4% to 145,000 tons, while Zaanstad increased by approximately 71% to 66,000 tons. IJmuiden saw a decline of 8% to 8.3 million tons in the first half of the year.

The board of the Amsterdam Ports Association (Amports) appointed Laura Keegstra (43) as new managing director as of 1 September. She took over from Wim Ruijgh (62), who had held the position since 1999. Amports is the promotional organisation for Amsterdam Seaports, which represents the four seaports on and around the North Sea Canal.

Laura Keegstra has previously held various positions at KLM (Royal Dutch Airlines), most recently as project manager for corporate communications. Between 1994 and 1998, she was employed by Wijsmuller Group in IJmuiden, now part of Mærsk.

“The Amsterdam port region has booked a fine overall result,” says managing director Dertje Meijer. “Growth has been seen in particular in oil products, cars and other Roll-on/Roll-off products. We’ve also had a wonderful half year in terms of sea cruises.”

New gantry crane for OBA In mid-July, a 60-ton gantry crane was delivered to the coal transhipment company OBA in Amsterdam by the Chinese cargo ship Zhen Hua 26. The crane was manufactured by ZPMC in Shanghai, the world's largest producer of this type of machinery. Transportation from Shanghai took around three months, as Zhen Hua 26 first stopped in Brazil in order to deliver two other cranes there. The new crane has been fixed on railroad tracks parallel to the dock. It is 65 metres high and has a peak capacity of some 3500 tons of coal per hour.

AYOP at Offshore Europe in Aberdeen Amsterdam Ymuiden Offshore Port (AYOP), the regional promotion organisation for the offshore industry and port authorities in the North Sea Canal area, can look back on a successful participation in the biennial Offshore Europe exhibition in Aberdeen, the second largest offshore event in the world after the ITC in Houston (US).

AYOP had a stand in the Dutch pavilion with ASCO Holland, Zeehaven IJmuiden NV, Iskes Towage & Salvage, KVSA, Seamar, Shipdock, ZPMC Europe and Velsen city council. In addition to the exhibition, AYOP also teamed up with the Dutch embassy and trade association IRO to organise a network event on the clipper Stad Amsterdam.

Network event on the clipper Stad Amsterdam

Passage of the gantry crane through the locks at IJmuiden. Photo: Ed Seeder

CEO Jaap Blok leaves VCK after 40 years After a distinguished career Jaap Blok at his farewell reception. spanning four decades, Jaap Blok recently took his leave of VCK Group, which he had led since 1985. A special reception was held at the Scandia Terminal, VCK’s main base in Amsterdam. Dertje Meijer, managing director of Port of Amsterdam, gave a speech reflecting on Blok’s accomplishments in the service of both VCK and the whole of Amsterdam Seaports. She mentioned in particular his achievements in developing VCK into one of the cornerstones of the port, as well as the role Jaap played in strengthening the links between Amsterdam Seaports and the Scandinavian market.

MORE MORE ABOUT ABOUT AMSTERDAM AMSTERDAM PORTS PORTS ASSOCIATION ASSOCIATION AND AND ITSITS 300300 MEMBERS MEMBERS WWW.AMPORTS.NL WWW.AMPORTS.NL www.amports.nl

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NEWS IN BRIEF Arrival of the Rosa Delmas at Ter Haak’s USA terminal

Cargill invests in reducing odours Food giant Cargill has started operating a new 3.7-million euro installation designed to reduce odour levels in its soy processing factory. The project is the first substantial investment within the framework of the covenant between Amsterdam council and port companies Cargill, IGMA, ICL Fertilizers and Eggerding. Situated close to the city, these companies are investing in innovative, intelligent technologies to reduce dust, sound and smell. In return the authority provides them with the space to grow.

Inaugurating the new environmental installation at Cargill. Photo: Martin Hendriksen

Delmas back to Ter Haak's USA Terminal On Saturday 10 September, United Stevedores Amsterdam (USA) welcomed back the first vessel from specialist West African shipping company Delmas, represented in the Netherlands by Slavenburg & Huyser. The ConRo vessel Rosa Delmas carried cocoa beans for transportation to storage warehouses in the region via the Ter Haak terminal.

It’s not the first time the companies have worked together. The French shipping company’s network included direct calls to Amsterdam for more than a decade. These only stopped when Delmas decided to reduce the number of liner services between Northern Europe and West Africa and limit rotation. “For the time being, vessels will call at Amsterdam at on an ad hoc basis. As soon as cargo increases, we hope to reintroduce Amsterdam to the regular shipping timetable,” says Leo Poot, Director of Slavenburg & Huyser.

OSD designs seismic vessels

Sitos Commodities receives 500th Dutch AEO certification Sitos Commodities (Amsterdam), part of CWT Sitos, received the 500th Dutch AEO (Authorised Economic Operator) certification in May. This certification gives companies with international trade contacts various customs privileges, such as a reduced number of physical checks. In exchange their operations must meet various strict criteria, including transparency of the (financial) administration and security of the goods flow. Sitos Commodities received a combined document for customs simplification and security.

Organisation De Koperen Ploeg received a special AEO certification in April. The Amsterdam boatmen were the first nautical services provider in the European Union to be presented with a combined AEO certification for customs simplification and security.

Presentation of the AEO certificate to the Board of Sitos Commodities

Offshore Ship Designers (OSD) has been chosen to design a series of six new fuel-efficient seismic support/chase vessels ordered by French offshore major Bourbon. The company provides naval architecture and marine engineering skills to shipping and offshore energy industries from its headquarters in in IJmuiden and offices in Montrose, York and Appledore (UK), Shanghai and Singapore. The 53.8-metre vessels will have a fuel efficient hybrid propulsion system, refrigerated and dry storage capabilities as well as space on deck for the stowage of stores containers.

MORE MORE ABOUT ABOUT AMSTERDAM AMSTERDAM PORTS PORTS ASSOCIATION ASSOCIATION AND AND ITSITS 300300 MEMBERS MEMBERS WWW.AMPORTS.NL WWW.AMPORTS.NL www.amports.nl

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I N T E R N AT I O N A L C A R G O D E S T I N AT I O N S From mining to power outlets

Coal from Amsterdam

A

lmost 900 million tons of coal is moved across the world’s seas every year, some 70 million of which is destined for the seaports between Hamburg and Le Havre.

With a market share of 25 percent, Amsterdam Seaports plays a crucial part in supplying industries and electricity companies, particularly in Germany.

Rob Schoemaker

The bulkcarier mv Constanza docks at Rietlanden. Photo: Dick van den Berg

CONSTANT FLUX Numerous high-yield coal plants are planned in Europe and CCS (carbon capture and storage) technology will greatly reduce carbon dioxide emissions in the long term.

“Lack of social acceptance means that the share of coal in the European energy mix is not expected to rise significantly,” says Lex de Ridder, bulk logistics unit manager at the Port of Amsterdam. “Imports are, at any rate, set to increase, due to the closure of mines in Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic.”

De Ridder also emphasises the many uncertainties. “The energy mix is in constant flux with the planned closure of nuclear plants in Germany, changing environmental objectives, doubts about biomass and the future option of extracting shale gas, to name but a few.”

SUBSTANTIAL INVESTMENTS

Amsterdam Seaports, including Tata Steel, has a 25 percent share of the coal Reliability and affordability are the imported on the coast between Le Havre and Hamburg. With 33 percent, Rotterdam primary advantages of coal. The current is particularly strong in coking coal for the German steel industry. The Amsterdam proven reserves of and Rotterdam transfer terminals are ideally situated with coal will not run respect to the German hinterland thanks to excellent inland out for centuries, connections via the Rhine. The efficiency of rail links is “Imports will rise at any rate due and risks linked another relevant factor. And for German customers, the to transport and to the closure of mines in Germany, existence of two competing ports is reassuring in many storage are low. ways.

Poland and the Czech Republic.”

Furthermore, as “Given our current market share, we expect Amsterdam a so-called swing to grow from 17 to 24 million tons by 2020,” De Ridder supplier, coal can adds. He points to the fact that both major coal terminals, OBA and Rietlanden, mitigate the inevitable fluctuations in have invested heavily in recent years in measures and innovation geared towards the production of renewable energy or keeping the existing terminals within environmental limits, including future ones. the loss, for whatever reason, of any other This is evident in storage and transfer, as well as special processing activities such as major source of power. In short, coal deferrisation, washing, sifting, crushing and blending. stabilises the world economy. Although coal is controversial because of its ‘dirty’ SAILING TO THE HINTERLAND image, its share of the global energy mix Thanks to the 17.8-metre deep channel from the North Sea, even the largest capesizers is set to increase from 25 percent today can reach IJmuiden while fully loaded. Due to draught limitations upstream, floating to 29 percent in 2030 according to the cranes on so-called IJ buoys are used to partially unload coal barges at the locks International Energy Agency.

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I N T E R N AT I O N A L C A R G O D E S T I N AT I O N S OBA West harbour terminal: Company site: Surface: 650,000 m2 Storage capacity: 3 million tons Turnover (2010): 9 million tons

Rietlanden Total turnover (2010): 6 million tons West harbour terminal: Surface: 100,000 m2

complex at IJmuiden, allowing them to sail straight on to the end users in the German hinterland. As soon as their draught permits (the maximum being 13.70 metres), these coal transports sail on to the Amsterdam terminals of OBA and Rietlanden.

OBA has a central terminal in the Westhaven (West harbour) where bridge cranes can unload the coal at lightning speed. A new 60-ton crane will soon become operational here.

At Rietlanden’s three terminals, unloading is done by floating cranes.

Storage capacity: 500,000 tons

The Amsterdam terminals have made major investments in inland transport as well, building additional Surface: 300,000 m2 docks for barges and loading Capacity: 2 million tons facilities for cargo trains. This has not gone unnoticed by KeyRail, America harbour/Asia harbour: operator of the Betuwe route, as the Surface: 165,000 m2 number of trains on this dedicated Capacity: 750,000 tonnes freight railway between the ports of Amsterdam and Rotterdam and the Ruhr doubled this year. OBA transports 1.5 to 2 million tons of coal by rail annually, while Rietlanden has already accounted for some 600,000 to 700,000 tons since the beginning of 2011.

Africa harbour:

The so-called ‘Averijhaven’, situated outside the IJmuiden locks on the north shore, will be dredged and cleared in 2014. This will enable ship to ship transfer with barges and the new area will ultimately have sufficient capacity for two capesizers to dock simultaneously.

AMBITIONS “We would like to see the possibilities for barges past the locks to be extended,” OBA Bulk Terminal director Piotr Skotnicki says.

“To keep up with the growing demand for imported coal in Germany, more capesize vessels will need to be lightened.

If this is not possible, Amsterdam’s market share will drop as a number of vessels will divert to Rotterdam. This is why we have great expectations for the opening of the Averijhaven.” www.oba-bulk.nl www.rietlanden.com

COAL LEAVING AMSTERDAM FOR:

regio n

train ight y fre land b : 20% hinter e to th

COAL IN AMSTERDAM SEAPORTS, DIVIDED BY COUNTRY OF ORIGIN (2010):

“The Amsterdam port companies and the government have had to make creative investments due to the limitations of the locks system in IJmuiden and the depth of the North Sea Canal,” De Ridder points out. “When the expansion of the Panama Canal to some 52 metres is completed in 2014, this may set the stage for a new global trend towards larger scale cargo vessels. It will take five to ten years before the next generation of bulk carriers come into service, by which time the new sea lock in IJmuiden has to be ready.”

www.amports.nl

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the USA

S

A outh

rs

10

esia 5%

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SCALE INCREASE The role played by the port of Amsterdam in bulk transfer has both a regional and a European dimension. The bulk handling creates a strong economic base which guarantees that the port facilities stay at a high level. The involved parties are expected to do their best to limit dust emissions and noise levels, however. And the constant threat of scale increases is now also making a comeback.

60%: By inland shipping to the hinterland

Indon

Although both OBA and Rietlanden offer services such as deferrisation, blending, washing, sifting and crushing, a special role is filled by Enerco, a coal processing plant located at the Rietlanden terminal in the Amerikahaven (America harbour). With a capacity of two to three million tons, Enerco can deliver any type of coal required for specialised purposes, such as the silicon metal industry. Coal leaving the port of Amsterdam is ready for use in plants and factories.

10 by %: the feed UK er t ,P oS ola ca nd ndi na via ,

city

“We reduce the environmental burden through a range of measures,” director of Rietlanden Karl Schot explains. “For instance, we worked with Port of Amsterdam to install a monitoring system with sniffer posts at our modern terminal at the Afrikahaven (Africa harbour), which measures dust concentration in the air and calculates our contribution. When necessary, we take additional measures, such as covering the coal with a layer of cellulose and spraying transfer points. In addition, we do not open our coal grabbers until the last moment, the driving speed is low at all our terminals, we always analyse and filter rainwater before discharging it into surface water, and our quiet machinery, including cranes, stackers and conveyors, runs on low-sulphur fuels. We undertake such measures proactively, convinced that dealing responsibly with the environment is key to long-term success.”

: the

Because of its role as swing supplier, the importance of storing coal is growing rapidly.

Thanks to smarter use of both its surface area and stackers and conveyors with a longer reach, OBA alone has doubled its storage capacity to three million tons, the same as Rietlanden. Both cargo companies have made efforts to keep the dust released during storage and handling to a minimum.

10%

STORAGE

%

10%

frica

Colombia 40%

10%

Russia 25%

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I N T E R N AT I O N A L C A R G O D E S T I N AT I O N S

Amsterdam Seaports: Spider in the oil web

A

msterdam Seaports has a very strong international position when it comes to the storage and transhipment of oil products. With the new Vopak Terminal Westpoort (1.2 million m3) and several smaller terminals in the pipeline, Amsterdam is now undisputedly the world’s largest petrol port.

Bart Stam and Mareijn de Wit According to the annual World Energy Outlook from the International Energy Agency, primary energy demands will increase by 36 percent between 2008 and 2035. Despite all the efforts in the field of sustainable energy, fossil fuel will therefore continue to be the dominant energy source for a long time, with oil being the most prominent.

For Amsterdam Seaports this is projected to mean an increase in the transhipment of oil products from the current 35 to 37 million tons up to 45 million tons in 2020 and 48 million tons a decade later. “Partly as a result of the multi-million euro investments over recent tears, Amsterdam Seaports has a very strong international position in the storage of oil products,” says Ruud van Stralen, commercial manager for oil and chemicals at the Port of Amsterdam. “We are like a spider in the oil web, accommodating a number of ultra-modern terminals that are equipped to blend products in accordance

with a wide range of specifications. Moreover, the ports are optimally situated with regard to the hinterland in general and Germany, Switzerland, France and the UK in particular.”

OILTANKING With a storage capacity of 1.6 million m3, Oiltanking Amsterdam is the largest tank storage facility in Amsterdam Seaports, and will remain so even after the opening of Vopak Terminal Westpoort in late October 2011. In its 83 storage tanks, all with floating roofs, Oiltanking stores a large amount of fuels, petrol products, gas oil, diesel, naphtha and Jet A1.

Oiltanking is the only facility with a 20-kilometre pipeline to Amsterdam Schiphol, used to supply over 50 percent of the airport’s total kerosene requirements. The company also stores part of the strategic oil supplies kept for the Dutch government.

BP AMSTERDAM With a storage capacity of around one million m3 in the Amerikahaven (America harbour), BP Amsterdam is also a very large import and export terminal for petrol products, gas oil, diesel, propane and butane. In 2009 BP Amsterdam completed a substantial investment programme of 65 million euros, including the connection of a new quay for sea-going vessels to the modern vapour processing installation. In late 2009 BP also connected the 12 existing jetties, nine for inland vessels and three for seagoing vessels, to a second vapour processing installation.

EUROTANK AMSTERDAM EuroTank Amsterdam’s 100-million-euro investment programme in its existing terminal

Overview photo of the terminals of Oiltanking (below), Vopak (left) and BP Amsterdam (above). Photo: Port of Amsterdam

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I N T E R N AT I O N A L C A R G O D E S T I N AT I O N S

Gulf Oil terminal is underway. Photo: Ed Seeder

(storage capacity 1.4 million m3) is due to continue until 2015. The investments are mainly focused on enhancing safety, environment and the infrastructure, and consist of improving the existing (un)loading facilities for sea-going vessels, including increasing the capacity of the (un)loading arms and renovating the jetties.

Eurotank already completed four new storage tanks for petrol products with a total capacity of 150,000 m3 in 2009. Four more tanks for gas oil products with a capacity of 75,000 m3 were added this summer, not as an expansion but to replace several outdated tanks.

NUSTAR NuStar Terminals has been located in Amsterdam Seaports since 2005. This terminal has a storage capacity of around 600,000 m3 divided over 45 storage tanks that contain fuel oil, gas oil, petrol and bio fuels for storage and transhipment. The terminal operator has two quays for sea-going vessels, and five for inland vessels. A unique feature of NuStar’s storage tanks is an automated vapour processing installation instead of the floating roofs seen at most terminals. In this set-up all tanks and quays at the terminal are connected via a closed pipeline system which minimises the leakage of volatile organic chemicals.

using venturi blend nozzles for optimal fuel blending. The benefits of this system include very short blending times and the absence of electro motors and (leaking) seals in the tank wells.

A unique feature is the use of 3,800 highspeed piles (HSPs) as the foundation for the storage tanks. With an average length of 23 metres and a diameter of 220 millimetres, these piles distribute the load more evenly over a large number of relatively slim concrete piles, enabling the use of thinner, less reinforced concrete plates. The HSPs also have the advantage of fast installation.

GULF OIL NEDERLAND

Finally, this autumn will see Gulf Oil Nederland open a petrol storage and distribution location in the Petroleumhaven VOPAK (Petroleum harbour) next to the existing Vopak currently has only one terminal in the Petroleumhaven (Petroleum harbour) in terminal of sister company MAIN. For the Amsterdam port, but is set to open its second large terminal in the Afrikahaven in this project the Port of Amsterdam had to late October 2011. The current facility has a capacity of 85,000 m3, with 21 storage reclaim and prepare two hectares of the tanks and two quays for sea-going and inland vessels. The storage tanks contain port. Gulf Oil, which was responsible for the various types of fuel oil, petrol and gas oil products. construction of the quay, is currently Vopak’s new terminal will have a total storage capacity of building a petrol “We are centrally located in the 1,190,000 m3 with 41 overground storage tanks and six with spider’s web of the inland and sea- terminal slob tanks (for the purification of polluted waste water). eight tanks offering going transport sectors” Additionally it will have 11 mooring places on two finger a total storage piers, one quay wall and one dock. capacity of 60,000 The total m 3.

HYDROCARBON HOTEL investment involved is 30 million euros.

Another new addition to Amsterdam Seaports is Hydrocarbon Hotel, a joint-venture www.oiltanking.com between Blue Ocean and the North Sea Group. This terminal in the Amerikahaven www.bp.com (America harbour) will also start operations this year on 1 December. Hydrocarbon www.nustarenergy.com Hotel is aimed at the import, export and blending of petrol, the storage of petrol www.vopak.com components and bio fuels, and the supply of depots in the hinterland. The capacity www.gulfoil.nl of this new terminal will be 140,000 m3, divided over 11 tanks. The new location will also include a black-water tank, a pumping station and a quay for both sea-going and www.main-bv.nl inland vessels. www.vtti.com To blend petrol efficiently, all tanks will be equipped with a circulation system www.portofamsterdam.nl

www.amports.nl

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Your Compass to Value-added Logistics

LOGISTICS DISTRIBUTION FORWARDING TERMINAL OPERATOR STEVEDORING STORAGE WAREHOUSING CONTAINER TRADING CONTAINER REPAIR CONTAINER LEASING CONTAINER TRANSPORT BARGE OPERATOR SHIPPING BROKERAGE AGENCY

Six top quality port and logistic related companies, one management, four generations of commitment and efficiency. The Amsterdam based Ter Haak Group is one of the few European companies that offers all of the various disciplines. The Multimodal Container Terminal in the port of Amsterdam offers classic or modern stevedoring, multimodal shipment services, warehousing, forwarding, container sales, leasing, repairs and transport. We do it all and we‘re good at it!

Feel free to call us for an informal introduction or visit our website.

• THL Ter Haak Logistics • USA United Stevedores Amsterdam • CCA Container Company Amsterdam • BCA Barge Company Amsterdam • CCY Cargo Company Ymond • CSY Container Stevedoring Ymuiden

TER HAAK GROUP Ruijgoordweg 80 - Westpoort 7989 - 1047 HM Amsterdam The Netherlands Phone +31 20 6116688 - info@terhaakgroup.com - www.terhaakgroup.com 14

October 2011

Amsterdam Seaports

INFRASTRUCTURE Modern container terminal open since July

CSY IJmuiden: European hub for frozen fish

T

he port of IJmuiden is developing into the central ‘hub’ for frozen fish in Europe. And the new container terminal CSY, which commenced operations on 13 July, is certainly playing its part.

Pieter van Hove Zeehaven IJmuiden NV, the privatised port of IJmuiden, started preparations for the new container terminal Container Stevedoring Ymuiden (CSY) a number of years ago.

The idea was to create a facility that would tranship thousands of containers of frozen fish to inland vessels on an annual basis.

One of the key factors in this development was that ports in countries such as Nigeria, Egypt and China were becoming increasingly equipped to receive containers of frozen fish.

“Even for frozen fish we are experiencing a global increase in containerisation,” says Peter van de Meerakker, Managing Director of Zeehaven IJmuiden NV.

The new, 30 metere wide quays (left, above) will accommodate inland vessels, reefders, trawlers and other seagoing vessels.

Photo: Zeehavens IJmuiden NV

fish in the short term, the partners began a temporary transhipment process that proved very successful. Two years ago, for example, almost 2,500 containers of fish were being transported from IJmuiden by inland vessel, and by 2010 this figure had almost doubled to 4,500.

The transportation at and exploitation of the terminal are in the hands of Barge Company Amsterdam (BCA), a subsidiary of the Ter Haak Group. “We tranship approximately 100 containers in IJmuiden a week,” explains Mattijs Nollen, General Manager of BCA. One container can contain around 30,000 kilos of herring, mackerel, horse mackerel and other types of fish. “We then continue immediately to our USA (United Stevedores Amsterdam) terminal.” At this terminal in the Amsterdam port other containers are also loaded onboard before the journey continues to Rotterdam, and then on to the rest of the world. Diederik Parlevliet, Director of the IJmuiden shipping company Parlevliet & Van der Plas, is very pleased with CSY. “We have between 40 and 80 containers transported every week, and this number is growing.”

MODERNISING THE QUAYS

Over the past year Zeehaven IJmuiden NV has made an area of approximately 10,000 square metres ready for container transhipment, including the removal of five TEMPORARY TRANSHIPMENT wooden quays and renewing 480 metres of quay wall. The new, 30-metre wide quays PROCESS will accommodate inland vessels that pick up containers of frozen fish. There is also In the starting period space for reefers, trawlers and other seagoing vessels thanks (2005-2007) many to the water depth of ten metres arranged by Zeehaven “Even for frozen fish we are containers were IJmuiden NV. commonly transported experiencing a global increase in by truck to locations CSY IJmuiden is part of the Deep Sea International Frozen containerisation” such as the port of Fish Centre Europe (DIFE), the name given to the strategic Rotterdam for further plan to strengthen IJmuiden’s position as a frozen fish hub. transport. “But that resulted in a lot of Van de Meerakker says that the goal is to attract a large number of flows to his port lorry traffic,” the Port Director continues. and gives Kloosterboer as example. This logistic services provider has been operating As a result, Zeehaven IJmuiden NV a new reefer service from Alaska since 2009, transporting frozen fish from Dutch started thinking about developing its own Harbor to IJmuiden once every 14 days, from where it is distributed to the European transhipment facilities for containers. The hinterland. For 2011 Van de Meerakker is expecting a total transhipment of 500,000 port entered into a cooperation with the Ter tons, compared to the 450,000 tons of frozen fish transhipped in IJmuiden last year.

Haak Group, called Container Stevedoring www.zeehaven.nl Ymuiden (or CSY), in 2008. To meet the www.terhaakgroup.com increasing demand for containerised frozen www.parlevliet-vanderplas.nl

www.amports.nl

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I N T E R N AT I O N A L C A R G O D E S T I N AT I O N S

Amsterdam Seaports hub in international RoRo transport

I

t is impossible to imagine Amsterdam Seaports without roll-on/ roll-off transport, usually abbreviated as RoRo. Rolling cargo on and off vessels has become an essential part of short sea routes and intercontinental liner services as well as the supply of cars.

Joris Moes Holiday goers that sail from ports on the European mainland to the UK or Scandinavia have to wait with boarding until the trailers have been loaded on board. This applies to the well-known ferry services that combine cargo and passengers such as the daily DFDS Seaways service from IJmuiden to Newcastle.

A record-breaking Performance: Koopman Car Terminal and stevedore Waterland Terminal unloaded 4,500 Nissans from the Pearl Ace on a single day in November 2010. Photo: Martin Hendriksen

least, there are car carriers that transport thousands of cars on an annual basis on vessels specially built for that purpose with a maximum capacity of 7,000 cars.

BY SHIPPING TRAILER Everything that can ride or roll is eligible for transport by RoRo vessels. All that is needed to load trailers, trucks, coaches, cars or bulldozers and cranes on board is a driver. When the cargo does not roll by itself, for instance with paper, wood, steel (plates) or big bags, it is the responsibility of the stevedore to make it ‘rollable’. Shipping companies have trailers that are exclusively used at the terminals and onboard vessels: Flat trucks the size of a 40 foot container on which forklifts place a ‘static’ load. A driver then pulls the loaded shipping trailer on board with a terminal tractor.

There are also several routes to Great Britain and Scandinavia that are sailed by RoRo cargo ferries without passengers. A The stevedore department of VCK at the Scandia key characteristic of Terminal in Amsterdam has specialised in this type short sea shipping is of transport for over 50 years. VCK welcomes RoRo the large number of “The African community in the vessels with services to Norway (Sea Cargo) and ports that is sailed to Netherlands ships a wide range of Finland (Finnlines) in Amsterdam, each with two in a relatively short goods to their country of origin.” vessels a week. time period. This requires fast RoRo “VCK is the hub in the transport chain from the (un)loading methods. factory in Scandinavia to the receiver in, say, France,” says General Manager Jeroen Brauns. “As the initial and final transport are just as important as the In addition, various intercontinental line shipping itself, VCK acts as a chain manager. For instance, clients for wood services use combined RoRo vessels and products receive paper, wood or cellulose from our warehouses in stages. This include Amsterdam Seaports on their means they require a smaller supply and thus benefit from lower costs. It is all timetable. They are mainly services to about supply management. Newsprint paper must always be at the printers on and from West Africa carrying tropical time, and we make sure that it is. We have developed into an integrated logistic products as incoming cargo and secondservices provider, ensuring that the various transport modalities are fully in line hand goods as outgoing. Last but not 16

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I N T E R N AT I O N A L C A R G O D E S T I N AT I O N S using all the available tools.” These tools initially include ICT applications, a field in which VCK is a frontrunner. Over 40 years of automation means that the company has the very latest information systems at its disposal.

CONTAINERS AND ROLLING MATERIAL ConRo vessels (containers and RoRo) from Italian shipping company Grimaldi Lines, with a weekly departure to West Africa, are handled in the Amerikahaven (America harbour) at the USA (United Stevedores Amsterdam) terminal, part of the Ter Haak Group. Incoming products include wood, containers and mixed cargo while the return cargo mainly consists of second-hand goods. Julian Jansen, Commercial Manager of the Ter Haak Group: “These goods are very popular in West Africa. The African community in the Netherlands ships a wide range of goods to their country of origin, and our expedition department books their individual cargo. The cargo mainly includes goods that are no longer used here, but which could still be useful in West Africa, such as old cars, vans, trucks, shovels and containers. There is also an active trade in used household goods.”

INCREASE IN NUMBER OF CARS The Koopman Car Terminal (KCT) In the Westhaven (West harbour) in Amsterdam welcomes a regular flow of carriers that transport thousands of cars per visit. While 2008 saw a total of 300,000 cars, this number was halved in the following year due to the economic crisis. Thankfully 2010 saw the number increase once again, and this year the parties involved expect an in and out flow of around 200,000 cars. Shipping companies Nissan Motor Car Carrier (NMCC), Höegh Autoliners, Euro Marine Carrier (EMC) and Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) all use Nissan Carrier Europe as their agent, while the stevedore is Waterland Terminal. The Koopman and Waterland terminals are next door to each other.

Hoëgh Autoliners is the only company to transport outgoing cargo, usually German cars, bulldozers and construction vehicles, trucks and mixed cargo on shipping trailers. “The name of the shipping companies says it all,” says General Manager Michel Kool of Nissan Carrier.

“The incoming Nissans are forwarded on to nearly all European destinations by inland vessels, rail or road transport.

Nissan has factories in Barcelona (vans and SUVs) and Newcastle (cars). Euro Marine Carrier sails to these destinations with smaller car carriers.”

FROM MEXICO An interesting fact is that the Nissan model which is now being manufactured in Mexico is transported to Russia (Saint Petersburg) via the port of Amsterdam.

Also new is that Nissan Carrier has started sea shipping SEAT cars from Barcelona to Amsterdam. www.vcklogistics.nl www.waterlandterminal.nl www.terhaakgroup.com

The Scandia Terminal of the VCK Group in the port of Amsterdam. Photo: by VCK

www.amports.nl

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RAIL TRANSPORT

Amsterdam Seaports invests in rail A locomotive in one of the new rail yards in the port of Amsterdam. This yard has recently been extended from 550 to 750 metres in order to significantly reduce the need for shunting freight trains. Photo: Dick van den Berg

C

onstruction works on the railway network are currently underway at various locations in Amsterdam Seaports.

They involve the laying of new rail connections and improvements to the efficiency of existing tracks, with an overall goal to improve links with the Dutch and international railway networks.

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RAIL TRANSPORT

Lydia Gille There is a great of work taking place on the new freight railway lines in the Amsterdam port area.

ProRail, which is responsible for the construction, maintenance, management and security of the Dutch railway network, recently built a new three-kilometre rail line in the Afrikahaven (Africa harbour), in the westernmost section of the port. There are also two rail yards slated for modernisation elsewhere. One will be electrified and expanded to three tracks, with the future option of further extending this to five should demand dictate.

At the second yard, ProRail is Transport of steel rolls by freight train at Tata Steel in IJmuiden on the North Sea Canal. Photo: Evert Bruinekool working to lengthen the tracks from 550 to 750 metres. This will eliminate the need to link of lower costs, higher speed and a lower and cut carriages and thus reduce shunting times. By allowing longer freight trains, it environmental impact, but also because will also help reduce the number of vehicles on the already overstretched Dutch rail the unloading of carriages fits easily within network. the operational management of these SECOND RAIL REGION businesses.”

“Amsterdam is the second busiest region in the Netherlands in terms of freight transport by rail,” says Jan Egbertsen, senior advisor at Port of Amsterdam. “All the “A port area really is an ideal location to port companies that need it have a good rail connection. With the abovementioned combine cargo flows,” Egbertsen confirms. expansions and a second connection to the national railway network, there will be “We actively seek bundling opportunities for sufficient capacity to absorb growth in rail transport up to 2020 and beyond.” a given destination together with logistics companies and forwarding companies as Amsterdam currently tranships 72.5 million tons of goods. “For all of Amsterdam a train needs to have an occupancy rate of Seaports this figure is around 90 million tons, which translates into 120 million tons of 80 percent in both directions. This requires inland cargo,” Egbertsen calculates. “Fifty percent of this is transported by barge, 45 by thorough market research, analysis of cargo lorry and five percent by rail.” flows and sales meetings with terminal operators and forwarding companies.”

Cargo trains in Amsterdam Seaports currently carry some 5.5 million tons a year. This FLEXIBILITY is, however, forecast to rise to eleven million tons by 2020, thanks partly to Tata Steel Tata Steel represents more than a quarter of in IJmuiden. Amsterdam Seaports has had a direct connection to the Betuweroute, rail transport in Amsterdam Seaports. More the 160 km railway between the port of Rotterdam and the German border, since than 800,000 tons of steel arrives in Europe 2009. Some 450 trains a week currently use this crucial connection, including 18 from every year. The lion’s share, around 500,000 Amsterdam Seaports. tons, goes to the Ruhr-region in Germany, CARGO POOLING while the rest is destined for France, Poland, Egbertsen is confident of the future prospects of Amsterdam Seaports in terms of the Czech Republic, Austria, Switzerland, railway transport. “While it is true that we use rail less than Hamburg or Bremen, say, Italy and the remainder of Germany. this is because we have such good links with the hinterland by barge. We are now Conversely, Tata Steel receives 600,000 tons working on developing cargo and container shuttle rail traffic to the hinterland, in of lime from Belgium and Germany. close cooperation with carriers and logistics hubs.”

“We want to grow According to Egbertsen, the Port of Amsterdam has a boost from the current 7.2 function in this process. “There are two types of cargo: Bulk to 8 million tons “Why can’t we attach wagons goods such as coal, ore and steel on the one hand, cargo and of steel products carrying steel to them? The containers on the other. Major forwarding companies like Tata per year,” Westerik solution is in cooperation" Steel and bulk goods shippers order a single train for a single states. “In terms of destination, and the operators then ensure connections and logistics, our goal delivery in the hinterland.” is to handle this increase primarily by rail. This fits into our COMBINING FREIGHT FLOWS corporate philosophy, in which the balance “Flower exporters sometimes go to Italy several times a week,” points out Bert-Jan between safety, environmental concerns, Westerik, Manager for Outbound Logistics at Tata Steel. “Why can’t we attach wagons costs and customer interests is central.” carrying steel to them? The solution is in cooperation.”

Westerik sees it as entirely logical that Tata Steel has opted for freight trains. “Many of our customers have a rail connection, and this provides benefits, not just in terms

www.amports.nl

www.tatasteel.nl www.portofamsterdam.nl www.prorail.nl

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I N N O V AT I O N / N A U T I C A L S E R V I C E S

New shore radar system for a better overview

One of the 26 radar installations along the North Sea Canal near the Afrikahaven (Africa harbour) in Amsterdam. Photo: Dick van den Berg

Jan van den Berg Traffic controllers prefer to know exactly which vessels are where, and the 15-year old system of radar installations along the North Sea Canal was no longer meeting requirements. “There are currently segments without any radar coverage,” says Aart Hiemstra, deputy port master of Amsterdam and head of Vessel Traffic Management Systems. “These ‘black holes’ between the various installations make it difficult to obtain an accurate and up-todate traffic overview.”

OPERATIONAL

T

he North Sea Canal will be equipped with a new shore radar system in late 2011 that will improve the monitoring and guidance of shipping traffic in Amsterdam Seaports, and increase safety.

As the radar masts will not only enable the traffic controllers to determine the position of vessels, they also have an integrated marine telephone to maintain communication. The radar installations also have cameras installed to allow traffic control to monitor the exact situation on the North Sea Canal. The number of cameras was increased from 27 to a total of 132. The radar masts and cameras have been placed in such a way that vessels will always be within sight of the traffic controllers, preventing situations such as a small yacht being invisible in the wake of a large seagoing vessel.

“Vessel information is provided by the Automatic Identification System (AIS) that is currently required for seagoing vessels,” the deputy port master continues. “AIS will become a requirement for inland shipping in 2013, which means we will be able to identify every vessel.” The shore radar system is not completely new, however, as the existing radar installations were fully upgraded. “The electronics are now as good as new, including a ten-year “The new system should warranty,” adds Hiemstra.

be operational in late

All the parties involved 2011, when we will have PARTNERSHIP WITH NATIONAL GOVERNMENT have worked hard to “The system is the property of the Department of Waterways expand and improve 26 radar installations. and Public Works, a specialised section of Dutch government,” the shore radar system, This is more than twice says Wouter Bulthuis project leader and district manager of the Hiemstra explains. “The the current number.” department. “It was designed and built in close cooperation new system should be with the Port of Amsterdam.” Bulthuis underlines that the operational in late 2011, when we will have 26 radar installations. system is not only relevant for the smooth and safe flow of shipping traffic on This is more than twice the current the North Sea Canal: “It also enables us to respond faster to risky situations or number.” The masts are being installed calamities. We will know what the situation is earlier on, and thus be able to at regular intervals along the North Sea provide the emergency services with better advice.”

Canal; from the port of IJmuiden to the www.portofamsterdam.nl Amsterdam Rhine Canal, Amsterdam www.rijkswaterstaat.nl Seaports’ main hinterland connection.

www.amports.nl

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CRUISES

T

he arrival of the one thousandth cruise ship was great publicity for Passenger Terminal Amsterdam (PTA) and Amsterdam Seaports alike.

“The cruise sector is very important both to the city of Amsterdam and the surrounding region,” PTA managing director René Kouwenberg explains.

“Our goal is to shore up this success in the future via optimal cooperation.”

Bart Stam PTA put on an impressive programme on Friday 15 and Saturday 16 April to welcome the thousandth cruise ship to Amsterdam, the brand new German cruiser AIDAsol.

The morning saw former port director and current chairman of the Amsterdam Cruise Port foundation Hans Gerson strike the gong at the NYSE Euronext. In the evening the cruise ship was given a special reception by two patrol boats from the Port of Amsterdam. And a day later, captain Detlef Harms received the traditional port emblem and the key to the city from the mayor of Amsterdam, Eberhard van der Laan.

POSITIVE IMAGE

ACP president Hans Gerson strikes the gong at the Amsterdam stock exchange to mark the arrival of the one thousandth cruise ship. Photo: NYSE Euronext

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The festivities marked a good moment to analyse the position of Amsterdam Seaports as an international cruise destination. “A thousand sea cruise ships in ten years shows that the large companies like to come here,” René Kouwenberg, director of PTA since February 2000, points out. “In addition to creating thousands of jobs, cruises also contribute to the positive image of this city.”

CRUISES

Fast forward to the next thousand ships

The AIDAsol docks at the Passenger Terminal Amsterdam (PTA). Photo: Martin Hendriksen

“Amsterdam has been on an upwards trajectory for the last five or ten years,” adds Hans Gerson. “Although part of this has obviously been thanks to the general global trend, we can also recognise the role of the excellent facilities in Amsterdam and IJmuiden, as well as the efforts of all parties concerned, including nautical service providers and the tourist industry.”

channel from 5 to 11 metres now allows cruise ships of up to 295 metres to easily dock in IJmond harbour. In terms of sea cruise ships, the count for the entire North Sea Canal area so far in 2011 is 149 vessels: 124 in Amsterdam and 25 in IJmuiden. For 2012, PTA and KVSA have already received a total of 193 bookings.

Thanks to the cruise ships and the many events, PTA now has an occupancy of nearly 60 %. “Although this is solid, we could do better, especially out of season,” Kouwenberg says. “We could organise all kinds of events here for up to 3000 people, anything from major television broadcasts, art fairs and conferences to company presentations, receptions and dinners.”

CALL FOR A SECOND TERMINAL “This milestone reflects well on IJmuiden There is a downside to the success. The 152 expected calls in 2012 will be close too,” says Frans Baud, managing director to the capacity limit for Passenger Terminal Amsterdam in the centre. This of KVSA (Royal United Ship Agencies) and has increased the demands for a new terminal in the harbour area, which manager of the Felison Terminal. “This would receive mainly turnaround calls. “Turnarounds season we had a record yield a great deal of income, including for nautical service of 25 cruise ships, and “A thousand sea cruise providers and stevedores,” Kouwenberg points out. there are already 40 ships in ten years shows “Of the 152 bookings in 2012, at least 86 are turnarounds. Some bookings for 2012. I see 80% of the guests on these come directly from Schiphol Airport the North Sea Canal as that the large companies and we can transport them to the harbour area very quickly.” a single region, where like to come here” the important thing is “Attracting more turnarounds to Amsterdam Seaports would to get new operators. make us more attractive for both the Dutch and German markets,” Gerson continues.

While the inner city of Amsterdam is, of “And more cruise ships in Amsterdam will then attract more passengers from further course, the main attraction, IJmuiden is afield such as the United States.” reached six hours earlier by boat. Moreover, www.ptamsterdam.nl the reception options in IJmond harbour www.amsterdamcruise.nl have been considerably expanded.” The www.kvsa.nl recent deepening of the cruise ship sailing www.amports.nl

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BULK TRANSHIPMENT

A new director for the OBA Bulk Terminal

P

iotr Skotnicki (45) is the new director of OBA Bulk Terminal in Amsterdam Seaports. He succeeds Hans Fijlstra, who has retired after 33 years of service.

have a long history, a high degree of organisation, and considerable demands on the flexibility of employees, due to the inherent irregularity in the coming and going of ships.”

HEALTHY BUSINESS Skotnicki will inherit a company in excellent financial health. Last year’s performance was the best on record, and expectations for OBA’s future are even more optimistic.

The closing of coal mines in Germany and other European countries, as well as new investments in coal plants, ensure that there will be work for storage and transhipment companies in both Amsterdam Seaports and Rotterdam for decades to come.

“At the IJmuiden locks, which connect to the North Sea Canal, we reduce the draught of capesize vessels to 13.70 metres by means of ship to ship transfer onto barges,” Although moving from petrochemicals to Skotnicki explains. “This is accomplished among other things via our 50-ton floating dry bulk may seem an unusual transition, crane. The barges then sail straight to Germany, while the capesize ships go on to Skotnicki is not phased. “It’s fun to get to our terminal in Amsterdam, where their dry bulk cargo is stored. This enables just-inknow new markets time onward delivery to the hinterland via barges and freight and there are trains. We also have in-house capacity for coal deferrisation, many similarities sifting and crushing.”

“We also have in-house between the two capacity for coal deferrisation, FAST LOADING AND UNLOADING sectors. My career sifting and crushing” “Rapid throughput is an absolute necessity for OBA Bulk had already taken Terminal,” Skotnicki underlines. “This is why we have readily me from chemical invested in a companies such second conveyor belt system to bring as DSM, Holland Chemical International Overslag Bedrijf Amsterdam (OBA) bulk goods from the crane to the and Epenhuysen Chemie, to Odfjell, an storage yard. Operational excellence is independent logistics provider and port Company site: key to shoring up our competitiveness authority similar to OBA Bulk Terminal in 600,000 m2 of open and 25,000 m2 of and we invest heavily in the most Amsterdam Seaports. Port authorities often covered storage modern equipment, as well as – and especially – in developing our human Personnel: capital. This allows us to optimise 125 permanent and approximately 30 efficiency, enhance planning and temporary employees safety, prevent errors and damage, and counter dust emissions. In short, the Throughput in 2010: streamlining of our internal processes 9 million tons of coal; 500,000 tons of allows us to provide a consistently minerals; 500,000 tons of agricultural bulk better service to customers!”

Rob Schoemaker

cargo www.oba-bulk.nl

CEO Piotr Skotnicki at his new workplace, OBA Bulk Terminal.

Photo: Reinder Weidijk

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CRANES NKM Noell Special Cranes focuses on Amsterdam Seaports

‘Every new crane should be better than the last’

A Photo: NKM Noell

Rob Schoemaker

40-ton floating bulk crane at IGMA (bulk transhipment) and another at Rietlanden Terminals (coal transhipment) are the latest additions to Amsterdam Seaports. Both were developed by NKM Noell Special Cranes, situated close to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport.

EASIER AND FASTER

The driver’s cabin on lemniscate cranes is situated above the ship’s hold, giving Facing cutthroat competition from Asia, better vision and control. For the new NKM crane, the centre of gravity – the European port crane manufacturers ballast block – was lowered to beneath the cabin. Kramer: “The benefit of this have mainly focused on maintenance is that the crane driver’s work becomes easier and faster. As engineers we follow and new builds over the last ten years. a continual R&D process at NKM Noell. Each new crane should be better than NKM Noell Special the last: More efficient, faster, and with an increased reach Cranes has recently and depth; for instance as a result of using increasingly small become active in the pontoons.”

“In 2006 we decided to top segment of these NKM Noell builds its cranes at its own factory in China. niche markets. add floating port cranes “We have an assembly facility in Xiamen under western and offshore cranes NKM Noell Special management where we produce around ten cranes a year for to our activities in the Cranes became part of the aluminium and port markets. This sector is picking up Netherlands” Reel in 2000, a French with, for example, the realisation of projects in countries such company that mainly as Brazil, India and Russia that had previously been delayed supplied cranes for the due to the economic crisis.” nuclear and aircraft industry (Airbus). The SYNERGY French mother company merged NKM The success of NKM Noell can also be attributed to the synergies between the with the German Noell Special Cranes various parts of Reel, as Kramer explains. “There is a great deal of knowledge into a single crane manufacturer for the exchange between the various divisions of the company, and we even share primary aluminium production. As a technicians or, if necessary, production capacity.” result of the acquisition, Reel developed into a conglomerate of specialised crane NKM Noell is also busy in the field of port crane maintenance. “This includes builders with 1,500 employees, 300 of routine, periodic and extensive maintenance, and especially far-reaching and whom work at NKM Noell Special Cranes. complex activities such as modernisations and complete upgrades of cranes in a “In 2006 we decided to add floating one-stop-shopping concept,” says Kramer. “While port cranes can remain in good port cranes and offshore cranes to our shape mechanically for decades, in economic terms they age much faster due to activities in the Netherlands,” says Enno technological developments in areas such as energy consumption, sound levels Kramer, director of the Dutch facilities. and emissions.”

“We saw excellent opportunities to make the Xxxx lemniscate crane, which had hardly www.nkmnoell.com changed since the 1970s, more advanced.”

www.amports.nl

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INFRASTRUCTURE

IJmuiden: The offshore industry’s trump card

S

ince opening in 2004 IJmond harbour has become the primary centre for the offshore wind industry in the North Sea. The IJmuiden port is currently also seeing an increasing number of platforms and drilling structures from the oil and gas extraction industry coming in for repairs and maintenance. And, last but not least, IJmond is now much more accessible to large cruise ships as well.

The supplier Normand Prosper entering IJmond harbour on 16 February. Visible on the right are the heavy lift vessel Sea Energy and, in front of the dock, the floating crane Sea Jack.

Photo: Willem Moojen

Willem Moojen The construction of two wind farms off the Dutch coast in 2006 and 2008 drastically increased activity in IJmond harbour, one of the three ports of IJmuiden. Accordingly, the port has played an important role in the supply of heavy components and other materials over the past years.

MORE OFFSHORE VESSELS IJmond harbour continues to be involved in repair and maintenance for both the offshore wind farms. In the meantime, however, it has also been discovered by the offshore industry, and suppliers, production platforms and other offshore vessels are now regularly seen here. This is only natural given that IJmond provides all the necessary options for repairing, renovating, modifying and cleaning the platforms. Owners also "IJmond harbour appreciate the benefits of a dock near the open sea with excellent road access. continues to be

involved in repair and

Vestas Offshore, a Danish company which offers the maintenance for both technical maintenance of wind turbine generators, the offshore wind farms" definitively established its Dutch operations in IJmond harbour in 2009. In the beginning of June this year, Airborne Composites also announced its intention to build a new production facility of 9000 m². This Dutch company develops and manufactures innovative deep-sea composite pipes for the oil and gas industry, and is planning to produce some 400 tons of material with 75 employees at its new site every year. The long-term perspective is to eventually increase the IJmuiden operation to around 150 employees.

MORE CRUISE VESSELS IJmond harbour is also used by passenger liners which are too large to dock at the nearby cruise dock Felison Terminal, also in IJmuiden. After the channel for cruise ships was deepened to eleven metres in mid-April, boats up to 295 metres can now easily moor at IJmond, however. www.zeehaven.nl

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CUSTOMS

‘New’ customs ensure effective cargo checks

A

Fred Zuidam (left) and Gerbrand van Dam near the Passenger Terminal Amsterdam (PTA). Photo: Dutch Customs

Joris Moes The Dutch customs authority has undergone a major reorganisation over recent years, with four regions being transformed into a single national customs organisation with its head office in Rotterdam and nine regional offices, including Schiphol Cargo and Schiphol Passengers. Although Amsterdam is not the largest regional office, it is of major importance, covering a coastline of approximately 200 kilometres, from the city of Den Helder to the port of Hoek van Holland.

SINGLE ORGANISATION

msterdam is a major Dutch regional office with over 500 staff.

EVERYTHING DIGITAL Another fundamental development is e-customs in which all cargo flow information is processed digitally. Van Dam: “We are already processing nearly all declarations digitally, which has resulted in a significantly reduced work load.”

Fred Zuidam, member of the Amsterdam regional office’s management: “It is already noticeable that the customs employees in Amsterdam are much more directly involved in the developments and surveillance in the region. This is also due to developments in the AEO (Authorised Economic Operator) field, which have resulted in many more contacts between us and the industry. Customs is additionally investing in ‘intelligent systems’ that increase our ability to perform risk-based checks.”

To facilitate risk analysis, customs aims to gain more insight into goods flows.

“This is only possible if we as customs intensify our contacts with industry,” adds Zuidam. “With this in mind we decided years ago to appoint a client coordinator for larger companies.”

The new customs organisation was formally AEO CERTIFICATION established on 1 January 2010. “The intention One of the most remarkable developments in the cooperation between customs was to strengthen the European borders and industry is the Authorised Economic Operator status, which offers companies in accordance with a single coordinated a wealth of benefits in international cargo transport. AEO certification is valid surveillance system,” says Gerbrand van across the entire European Union, with reciprocal recognition from Japan and, Dam, regional director Amsterdam. “We it is expected, China and the US later this year. Companies have to thoroughly have well-trained personnel and the latest analyse and sometimes change their operational processes scanning equipment and to become eligible for AEO status and there are currently risk detection systems.

“We are already around 40 certified companies in Amsterdam Seaports.

This results in more processing nearly all According to Van Dam, a further increase would mean the intensive checks when declarations digitally, development of goods chains with a high level of reliability necessary, as well as and safety. fewer delays in general. which has resulted in The leitmotiv in our new a significantly reduced Developments such as RFID, in which a data chip is linked policy is cooperation work load” to the cargo, are also being closely followed by customs. with industry and “The sooner we know which goods are headed our way and governmental & what outgoing cargo we can expect, the better,” says Van Dam. “Dutch customs enforcement institutions, such as the are currently exchanging information with Chinese colleagues about issues Port of Amsterdam, the police, the Royal such as container scans, for example. This enables us to start our risk analysis Military Constabulary, the Dutch Food and sooner and prevent unnecessary delays for safe cargo flows. This benefits customs Consumer Product Safety Authority (VWA) efficiency as well as our economy!” and the Dutch Inspectorate for Transport, Public Works and Water Management (IVW). www.douane.nl The goal is to achieve a quick cargo flow where possible and delays when necessary.”

www.amports.nl

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