Amsterdam Seaports - nr 3 2010

AMSTERDAM - BEVERWIJK - IJMUIDEN - ZAANSTAD

AMSTERDAM seaports

West Africa special General cargo & break bulk BigLift for all your heavy transport 2010/nr3

COLOPHON

Contents

Amsterdam SEAPORTS Publisher: Amsterdam Ports Association

Advertisers 03

General cargo and West Africa: The best of both worlds

05

News in brief

06

New clients for Waterland Terminal

07 Amports 12 AYOP 08 KVSA 08 Megabarging 04 Oiltanking 04 Sea-Cargo A/S 08 STS

09

USA Terminal: multipurpose hub for West Africa

10

New impulses for break bulk in Amsterdam Seaports

16 VCK

11

Good service is half the battle in logistics

04 Waterland Terminal

13

Polished service

14

BigLift for all your heavy transport

West Africa special Ghanaian ports in pictures

03

Strong ties and mutual respect

04

Amsterdam Liner Service West Africa

05

Speed and service

07

Amsterdam: The European transport hub for West Africa

08

Better quality, less labour

10

Ghanaian ports in pictures

11

Amsterdam Seaports leader in sustainable cocoa

12

Amsterdam Seaports as logistics hub

14

Cocoa magic

16

Creative with chocolate

Photos: Dick van den Berg, Evert Bruinekool, Martin Hendriksen, Ed Seeder, Reinder Weidijk and others.

Translation: Writewell: Andrew Rogers, Akke Pinkster Advertising: Joris van der Hoek, De Ruijterkade 7, 1013 AA Amsterdam Telephone + 31 20-6273706 Mobile phone +31 6-41842210 Fax: + 31-20-6264969 E-mail: jvdhoek@amports.nl Website: www.amports.nl

Important addresses: Amsterdam Ports Association Managing director: Wim Ruijgh De Ruijterkade 7, 1033 AA Amsterdam Telephone: +31 20-627 37 06 Fax: +31 20-626 49 69 E-mail: amports@amports.nl Website: www.amports.nl Port of Amsterdam P.O. Box 19406 1000 GK Amsterdam Telephone: +31 20-5234500 Fax: +31 20-6209821 Ships movement information: Telephone: +31 20-6221515 Website: www.portofamsterdam.nl

15 Lots of interest in third European Maritime Day

02

Contributors: Bart Stam (chief editor), Noor Backers, Jan van den Berg, Helen Hill, Pieter van Hove, Rob Schoemaker.

Port representatives abroad USA Jacob Willemsen (New York) +1 - 212 - 681 2566 Jacob.willemsen@portofamsterdam.nl Roy Wansik (Houston) +1 - 713 - 964 2713 rwansik@yahoo.com Germany Mannes Boelen +31 - 6 - 53 391 745 mannes.boelen@portofamsterdam.nl Asia Stella Shao (Shanghai) +86-216 - 288 6990 stella.shao@portofamsterdam.cn Port of Beverwijk Noorderkade 1, 1948 NR Beverwijk Telephone: +31 251-224750 Fax: +31 251-214050 E-mail: havenmeester@beverwijk.nl Website: www.beverwijk.nl

Cover photo: Last January, the coaster mv Carina visited the all weather Waterland Terminal, transporting a cargo of zinc to Amsterdam.

(Photo by Martin Hendriksen)

Zeehaven IJmuiden NV Halkade 4, P.O. Box 541 1970 AM IJmuiden Telephone: +31 255-547000 Fax: +31 255-547060 E-mail: info@zeehaven.nl Website: www.zeehaven.nl Port of Zaanstad Westkade 2, 1506 BA Zaandam Telephone: +31 75-6816888 Fax: +31 75-6816799 E-mail: havens@zaanstad.nl Website: www.zaanstad.nl Business Association ORAM De Ruijterkade 7 1013 AA Amsterdam Telephone: +31 20-6222111 Fax: +31 20-6203133 E-mail: info@oram.nl Website: www.oram.nl Chamber of Commerce Amsterdam De Ruijterkade 5, 1013 AA Amsterdam Telephone: +31 20-5314000 Fax: +31 20-5314699 E-mail: info@amsterdam.kvk.nl Website: www.amsterdam.kvk.nl Layout: FIZZ reclame + communicatie, Meppel Printed by: Ten Brink, Meppel

2 Amsterdam Seaports No. 3 2010

www.amports.nl

AMPORTS

General cargo and West Africa: The best of both worlds It is my pleasure to introduce this special edition of Amsterdam

Although cocoa is by far the largest product transported between

Seaports magazine covering two main themes: General Cargo

the regions, the share of forest products (wood and paper)

and West Africa. The second topic was chosen as part of a major

and return cargo from Amsterdam is increasing. Return cargo

port industry trade mission to Ivory Coast and Ghana, two of the

mainly consists of cars, white and brown goods, and consumer

largest cocoa producing countries in the world, which will take

electronics (computers and audiovisual equipment).

place from 3 to 8 October.

In short: General cargo and West Africa offer the best of both First let me introduce you to the subject of general cargo & break

worlds.

bulk. With its various modern terminals, Amsterdam Seaports is extremely well-positioned for the storage and transfer of large

Michiel A. Wijsmuller, Chairman Amports

amounts of general and project cargo. Nevertheless, research performed by the Port of Amsterdam has shown that there is considerable potential for further growth. In the short term the current volume of 5.2 million tons could be increased by approximately 1.6 million tons. This development is actually very desirable in order to realise a more diverse cargo portfolio.

West Africa The second topic looks at West Africa, a region that has traditionally been very important to Amsterdam Seaports. First and foremost it acquired this position as the result of the supply of around 500,000 tons of cocoa beans a year, making Amsterdam the largest cocoa port in the world. But West Africa’s significance is also due to the fact that the region represents the entire chain: From cocoa storage and processing companies, trading houses, transporters and inspection companies to banks, insurers and specialised machinery suppliers.

AMSTERDAM SEAPORTS

Official publication on behalf of the ports of Amsterdam, Beverwijk,

Ymuiden and Zaanstad Published 4 times a year in English: by Amsterdam Ports Association

(amports@amports.nl www.amports.nl)

MORE ABOUT Amsterdam Ports Association AND ITS 300 MEMBERS: www.amports.nl www.amports.nl

Amsterdam Seaports No. 3 2010 3

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.

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

Dirk Huizinga Manager Health, Safety, Security & Environment, Oiltanking Amsterdam

We Can, We Care At Oiltanking, safety always comes first. This is reflected

is to ensure his terminal meets all internal and external

in our global Health, Safety, Security and Environmental

HSSE standards. Handling huge volumes of hazardous pro-

(HSSE) policy, which has been translated into 15 languages

ducts utilizing more than 90 tanks and 18 jetties, as well

and is signed by each Profit Centre Manager. For continuous

as pipelines to Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport and crude oil

improvement of our performance we need people like Dirk

platforms in the North Sea, Dirk has a lot of responsibility.

Huizinga. Working for Oiltanking Amsterdam, Dirk’s job

He can manage, because he cares.

Your reliable storage partner for liquid bulk.

Admiralitaetstrasse 55 | D-20459 Hamburg Germany Tel. +49-40-370990 0 | Fax +49-40-37099 499 | www.oiltanking.com

NEWS IN BRIEF Expansion Cargo Company IJmond (CCY)

Slight growth Amsterdam Seaports

Cargo Company IJmond (CCY), part of the

In the first half of 2010, goods transhipment at Amsterdam Seaports increased

Haak Group, recently moved to new company

by 4.2 percent compared to the same period last year. The volume totalled 44.7

premises of 15,000 m² in the port of Amsterdam

million tons, largely due to the rising demand at steel giant Corus.

after its previous facilities (8,000 m²) had become too small. CCY is a service provider for overseas

In contrast, transhipment in Amsterdam dropped by 7.1 percent to 35.5 million

container transport for private parties and

tons. This can be attributed to an eight percent reduction of oil products as

businesses.

a result of the 2009 economic crisis, and a 15 percent decrease in coal. There was, however, a 22 percent increase in the transhipment of sand, gravel and

The new location allows the company to load

industrial minerals, partly due to the growing demand for overseas building

and prepare 200 containers for transport per

materials. Agribulk increased by five percent, while the transhipment of mixed

month. It also enables CCY to offer improved

cargo remained almost the same. Ro/Ro increased by a whopping 72 percent.

services for the integration, distribution and storage of containers.

Energy-efficient blast furnace at Corus Steel giant Corus in IJmuiden has started construction of the advanced

New quay Velsen Offshore Base (VOB)

HISarna blast furnace. Using a new blasting technology which does not require

VOB (Velsen Offshore Base) has made its facilities

the currently necessary preparation of cokes, pellets and sinter, the HISarna will

in Velsen-Noord, part of Amsterdam Seaports,

reduce CO2 emissions

suitable for deep-draught seagoing vessels. In

by at least 20 percent

addition to upgrading some 220 metres of quay,

compared to normal

the company replaced a largely rotten sheet pile

blast furnaces.

wall with concrete cofferdams. VOB also placed 20 fender piles and ten bollard piles in the water.

Transportation of the

Velsen Offshore Base is a joint venture between

smelter vessel (95 tons)

the Ben Vermeer Group and Iskes Vastgoed BV.

and melting cyclone (40 tons), the two main

Hundred thousand Nissans at

elements of the new

Waterland terminal

installation, took place

On 6 September, the modern all weather

in late August. Due to

Waterland Terminal welcomed its 100,000th

the size and weight of

Nissan car in 2010. Director René Finson stated

the components, they

that the milestone was reached earlier in the year

were partly transported over water. The HISarna blast furnace is expected to be

than in 2009, an indication that the economy

operational in early 2011.

Transporting components for the new HISARNA blast furnace

is recovering. Representatives of Nissan, Hoëgh Autoliners and Koopman Car Terminal were

Gerson Chairman

present during the ceremony. The 100,000th

Amsterdam Cruise

Nissan was delivered by cargo ship Asian Spirit,

Port

owned by Höegh Autoliners.

Hans Gerson (1947) has been appointed Chairman of the promotional organisation Amsterdam Cruise Port (ACP), an organisation aimed at attracting more sea and river cruise vessels to Amsterdam Seaports. Gerson previously worked as General Director of the Port of Amsterdam for nearly ten years (20002009), and as an alderman in

Marking a milestone at Waterland Terminal

Amsterdam for a year.

New ACP Chairman Hans Gerson

MORE ABOUT AMSTERDAM PORTS ASSOCIATION AND ITS 300 MEMBERS www.amports.nl www.amports.nl

Amsterdam Seaports No. 3 2010 5

G eneral cargo & break bulk Cargo up by a third compared to 2009

New clients for Waterland Terminal Despite the difficult economic times, the Waterland Terminal in Amsterdam Seaports is on the up again. “We attracted a significant number of smaller clients and have successfully broadened our basis,” says Managing Director René Finson.

In January, MS Carina from Swedish shipping company Österströms became the largest vessel to dock at Waterland Terminal to date. The 122-metre vessel with a capacity of 7,562 dwt transported a cargo of zinc.

René Finson feels confident about the near

Like many in our sector, Waterland

almost the same. Only our total cargo

future: “We transferred around 30 percent

Terminal had a difficult 2009. Finson:

volume was slightly lower: From 1.4 million

more general cargo over the first four

“Although it was the first time since

in the record year of 2008 to a little below

months of 2010 than in the previous year,

1998 that we made no investments in

1.1 million last year. However, because we

and welcomed 19 percent more vessels.

expansion, we still managed to do quite

operate as a multi-user stevedore, we were

This is mainly due to the fact that we

well compared to other stevedores. At 442

less affected by, for instance, the drop in

attracted a large number of smaller clients

short coasters and 900 inland vessels, the

demand for steel and wood products from

with various types of cargo.”

number of ships accommodated remained

the construction industry.”

6 Amsterdam Seaports No. 3 2010 www.amports.nl

On the rise

and zinc). Both segments amount to

Autoliners and HUAL which moor here

The new clients mainly include wood

around 450,000 tons a year. We also

every year,” says Finson. “These vessels

processing companies and paper

transfer some 200,000 tons in Ro/Ro and

transport cars for Nissan as well as trucks,

manufacturers in Germany, the Baltic

project cargo as well as 20,000 to 25,000

bulldozers, excavators and other rolling

States and Russia. “We signed a contract

containers.”

material.”

with two Russian sawmills and a

In its three covered halls (AWT 1, 2 and 3),

Around 60 percent of the general cargo is

German manufacturer of newsprint and

Waterland Terminal can accommodate

transferred to inland ships, 30 percent to

packaging paper,” adds Finson, who also

vessels up to 9,000 dwt and a depth of 11

trucks and 10 percent to trains. “This ratio

says that Ro/Ro cargo is on the rise. “This

metres. With a quay length of 260 metres

has been constant for years,” adds Finson.

applies especially to high-end cars and

it can offer space to three coasters at the

“We offer the benefit that we have a fully

trucks from the Far and Middle East. We

same time. “All halls have a 40 ton portal

covered loading area for both trucks and

decided to use the current situation to be

crane,” Finson continues. “We also have

cargo trains.”

more creative and explore how to make

60,000 m² of storage warehouses that

the most of our terminal. As a result we

are directly connected to the quay. Some

Eager to invest

found that our three covered halls are

4,000 m² of this space has an advanced

Finson stresses that Waterland Terminal

ideal for offshore supply vessels.”

dehumidification system for precious

aims to start investing again as soon as

metals.”

the opportunity arises. “I would really

Portal cranes

like to have 6,000 m² of new warehouse

Waterland Terminal started out with a

The entire terrain is around 160,000 m²

space for top-quality steel and forestry

modest volume of 200,000 tons in 1998,

in size. The non-covered area of 110,000

products. We developed plans for this

a figure which is now between six and

m² contains the deep-sea quay of 350

expansion a while ago, but are waiting

seven times higher. Finson: “Our largest

metres that is shared by the general

for the economy to recover and demand

cargo flows are forestry products (wood,

cargo stevedore with Koopman Car

to rise before going ahead.”

wood pulp, paper and cellulose) and ferro

Terminal. “This is an important quay for

and non-ferro metals (steel, aluminium

the around 100 car carriers of Höegh

When the weather gets rough...

www.waterlandterminal.nl

...a clear message to your prospects...

...is now more important than ever!

Your advertisement featured in Amsterdam Seaports is guarenteed to reach the right people!

Call us on +31 20 627 3706 or mail jvdhoek@amports.nl www.amports.nl

Amsterdam Seaports No. 3 2010 7

kwart pagina sts FC.pdf

Office Nijmegen Dr. de BlĂŠcourtstraat 59 6681 GJ Nijmegen Phone: +31 (0)24-3726250 Fax: +31 (0)24-3739099 E-mail: info@megabarging.nl Office Amsterdam Ruijgoordweg 100 1047 HM Amsterdam Phone: +31 (0)20-4801400 Fax: +31 (0)20-3347571 E-mail: info@megabarging.nl

www.MegaBarging.nl

1

25-11-09

18:03

AMSTERDAM - BEVERWIJK - IJMUIDEN - ZAANSTAD

AMSTERDAM seaports

West Africa special 2010/nr3

W est A f ri c a s p e c ia l

Ghanaian ports in pictures

Container terminal in Tem

The Port of Takoradi handles various types of cargo vessel, including RoRo and container ships (above and below)

Colophon Special supplement to mark the Amsterdam Seaports trade mission to Ghana and Ivory Coast from 3 to 8 October 2010.

Published by Amsterdam Ports Association (Amports), De Ruijterkade 7, 1013 AA Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

Tel. +31-20-627 37 06, fax. +31- 20-626 49 49.

E-mail amports@amports.nl www.amports.nl Editor: Bart Stam

2 Amsterdam Seaports No. 3 2010 www.amports.nl

Photos: Dick van den Berg, Martin Hendriksen, Reinder Weidijk and others Translation Dutch-English: Andrew Rogers and Akke Pinkster, Writewell Quality Text Amsterdam (NL) Design and lithography: FIZZ reclame + communicatie, Meppel (NL) Printing: Ten Brink, Meppel (Pays-Bas)

a

W est A f ri c a s p e c ia l Biennial visit of Amsterdam Seaports to West Africa

Strong ties and mutual respect West Africa has always been an important region to Amsterdam Seaports based on long-lasting historical ties and considerable mutual respect. From 3 to 8 October 2010, a delegation of the port industry, led by Dertje Meijer, General Director of the Port of Amsterdam, and Paul Wevers, Chairman of the Amsterdam business association ORAM, will pay a visit to Ivory Coast and Ghana.

“Cocoa has traditionally been the product

Ivory Coast, Ghana, Nigeria and Cameroon.

that connects West Africa to Amsterdam

Wevers: “It is therefore important that the

Seaports,” says ORAM Chairman Paul

Amsterdam port community maintains or,

Wevers. Amsterdam Seaports stores almost

if possible, strengthens its strong ties with

a third of the global supply of cocoa

the region, for instance by paying regular

beans (around 600,000 to 700,000 tons in

visits to the main players.” Wevers and

2009). “The volume that is transported to

Meijer point out that the entire cocoa chain

Amsterdam in megabulk, sea containers

is represented in Amsterdam Seaports,

and sacks is expanding as the global

including storage companies, cocoa-

demand for luxury products such as

processing firms and various top-quality

chocolate increases,” adds Dertje Meijer.

service providers. To list a few examples, the

“In 2009 approximately two billion dollars

delegation leaders mention transporters,

worth of cocoa beans was imported via

trade houses, insurers, inspection and

Dertje Meijer, General Director of the Port of

Amsterdam Seaports. In addition, almost 15

monitoring companies and specialised

Amsterdam

percent of the global cocoa processing into

suppliers of machinery, for instance.

semi-manufactured products (cocoa mass,

greater role. Meijer also sees the import

powder and butter) also takes place in this

Return cargo

of biomass from West Africa becoming

region, which amounts to around 460,000

“The cargo flow between Amsterdam

important to Amsterdam Seaports in the

tons of the 3.5 million tons worldwide.

Seaports and West Africa is by no means

future, especially within the framework of

Amsterdam is also the main port for

one way traffic,” underlines Dertje Meijer.

its function as an energy port. As examples

the importation of cocoa beans for the

“As a result of the growing economy in

she lists jatropha and shea nuts, which

European cocoa industry, which processes

West Africa, the consumer market is of

do not compete with food production.

over 40 percent of the global cocoa

growing interest to our port industry.

Meijer: “Amsterdam is perfectly positioned

production (1.4 million tons per year).”

The export of used cars and household

to transfer and tranship, process and

appliances from Amsterdam Seaports

distribute this biomass to end users of

West Africa is the main cocoa producer

is increasing, for instance. These goods

sustainable energy.”

in the world, particularly the countries

are transported via container and Ro/Ro

Sustainability is indeed an asset of

services by major shipping companies.”

Amsterdam Seaports, says Wevers. “This

The Amsterdam port Director also

was the reason that the first batch of

mentions Cargo Company IJmond (CCY),

sustainably produced and certified cocoa in

a subsidiary of the Ter Haak Group. CCY is

the world arrived here during the CHOCA

specialised in return cargo to West Africa

festival in November 2009. As a business

from Amsterdam. Another significant cargo

association we have signed covenants

flow to the African region is liquid fuels

with many parties in the cocoa chain to

(petrol and gas oil). “Amsterdam Seaports

make it as sustainable as possible; from

is working hard to strengthen its European

production and transport to Europe to

hub function for West Africa,” adds Meijer.

storage, processing and the distribution on location.”

Sustainability Paul Wevers, Chairman of the Amsterdam business

In addition to cocoa, forest products

association ORAM

(especially FSC hardwood) are playing a

www.portofamsterdam.nl www.oram.nl www.amports.nl

Amsterdam Seaports No. 3 2010 3

Amsterdam Liner Services Africa PORTS/ COUNTRIES

LINER SERVICES

FREQUENCY

Morocco Casablanca Casablanca Agadir Agadir

Delmas / CMA CGM Grimaldi Delmas / CMA CGM Hapag-Lloyd 1)

1x p/wk 1x p/wk 1x p/wk 1x p/12 days

Mauritania Nouakchott Nouakchott

Delmas OT Africa Line

1x p/wk 1x p/wk

Senegal Dakar Dakar Dakar Dakar Dakar

Delmas Grimaldi Hapag-Lloyd 1) OT Africa Line ZIM / Hapag

1x p/wk 1x p/wk 1x p/12 days 1x p/wk 3x p/mth

Gambia Banjul Banjul Banjul

Delmas OT Africa Line Grimaldi

1x p/wk 1x p/wk 1x p/wk

Guinea Conakry Conakry Conakry

Delmas Grimaldi OT Africa Line

1x p/wk 1x p/wk 1x p/wk

Sierra Leone Freetown Delmas Freetown Grimaldi Freetown OT Africa Line

1x p/wk 1x p/wk 1x p/wk

Liberia Monrovia Monrovia Monrovia

Delmas Grimaldi OT Africa Line

1x p/wk 1x p/wk 1x p/wk

Ivory Coast San Pedro San Pedro San Pedro San Pedro San Pedro Abidjan Abidjan Abidjan Abidjan Abidjan

Delmas 2) Grimaldi 2) Hapag-Lloyd 1) OT Africa Line 2) ZIM / Hapag 2) Delmas Grimaldi Hapag-Lloyd 1) OT Africa Line ZIM / Hapag

1x p/wk 1x p/wk 1x p/12 days 1x p/wk 3x p/mth 1x p/wk 1x p/wk 1x p/12 days 1x p/wk 3x p/mth

Ghana Takoradi Takoradi Takoradi Tema Tema Tema Tema Tema Tema

Delmas Grimaldi OT Africa Line Delmas Grimaldi Hapag-Lloyd 1) NileDutch OT Africa Line ZIM / Hapag

1x p/wk 1x p/wk 1x p/wk 1x p/wk 1x p/wk 1x p/12 days 3x p/mth 1x p/wk 3x p/mth

Togo Lomé Lomé Lomé

Delmas OT Africa Line Grimaldi

1x p/wk 1x p/wk 1x p/wk

Benin Cotonou Cotonou Cotonou

Delmas Grimaldi OT Africa Line

1x p/wk 1x p/wk 1x p/wk

Nigeria Lagos/Apapa Lagos/Apapa Lagos/Apapa Lagos/Apapa Lagos/Apapa Warri Onne Port Onne Port Onne Port Tincan Island Tincan Island Tincan Island Tincan Island

Delmas Hapag-Lloyd 1) NileDutch OT Africa Line ZIM / Hapag OT Africa Line Delmas OT Africa Line Delmas Delmas Grimaldi OT Africa Line ZIM / Hapag

1x p/wk 1x p/12 days 1x p/wk 1x p/wk 2x p/mth 1x p/wk 1x p/wk 1x p/wk 1x p/mth 1x p/mth 1x p/wk 1x p/mth 3x p/mth

Cameroon Douala Douala Douala Douala 1) 2)

Delmas Grimaldi NileDutch OT Africa Line

1x p/wk 1x p/wk 3x p/mth 1x p/wk

only during the Cocoa season (January – March) incoming only

PORTS/ COUNTRIES

LINER SERVICES

FREQUENCY

Equatorial Guinea Bata & Malabo Delmas Bata & Malabo OT Africa Line

1x p/mth 1x p/mth

Gabon Libreville Libreville Libreville Port Gentil Port Gentil

Delmas NileDutch OT Africa Line Delmas OT Africa Line

1x p/wk 3x p/mth 1x p/wk 1x p/wk 1x p/wk

Congo Pointe Noire Pointe Noire Pointe Noire Pointe Noire

Delmas Grimaldi NileDutch OT Africa Line

1x p/wk 1x p/wk 3x p/mth 1x p/wk

Democratic Republic of Congo Matadi Delmas Matadi NileDutch Matadi OT Africa Line Boma Delmas Boma Grimaldi Boma NileDutch Boma OT Africa Line Banana OT Africa Line

3x p/mth 3x p/mth 3x p/mth 3x p/mth 1x p/wk 3x p/mth 3x p/mth 3x p/mth

Delmas (CMA CGM) www.delmas.com Grimaldi www.grimaldi.napoli.it Höegh Autoliners www.hoeghautoliners.com NileDutch www.niledutch.com OT Africa Line www.otal.com Hapag-Lloyd www.hapag-lloyd.com ZIM Integrated Shipping Services www.zim.co.il

PORTS/ COUNTRIES Angola Cabinda Cabinda Cabinda Luanda Luanda Luanda Luanda Lobito Lobito Lobito Lobito Namibe Namibe Soyo Soyo Soyo

LINER SERVICES

FREQUENCY

Delmas NileDutch OT Africa Line Delmas Grimaldi NileDutch OT Africa Line Delmas Grimaldi NileDutch OT Africa Line NileDutch OT Africa Line Delmas NileDutch OT Africa Line

3x p/mth 3x p/mth 3x p/mth 1x p/wk 1x p/wk 3x p/mth 1x p/wk 3x p/mth 1x p/wk 3x p/mth 1x p/wk 3x p/mth 1x p/wk 3x p/mth 3x p/mth 3x p/mth

South Africa Port Elisabeth Höegh Autoliners East London Höegh Autoliners Durban Höegh Autoliners

1x p/mth 1x p/mth 3x p/mth

Mozambique Maputo Höegh Autoliners

1x p/mth

Réunion ( FR ) Port Réunion Höegh Autoliners

1x p/mth

Mauritius

Port Louis

Höegh Autoliners

1x p/mth

Madagascar Tamatave Höegh Autoliners

1x p/mth

Kenya Mombassa

1x p/mth

Höegh Autoliners

W est A f ri c a s p e c ia l Port of Amsterdam essential in the import of West African cocoa

Speed and service In the chain from cocoa bean to chocolate, seagoing vessels between West Africa and the world’s main cocoa port Amsterdam play a leading role. The vulnerability of cocoa beans makes fast transit times essential for major shipping companies such as Delmas/CMA CGM, Grimaldi Lines, NileDutch, ZIM Lines/Hapag Lloyd and OT Africa Line (OTAL).

Each year around between 600,000 and 700,000 tons of cocoa beans are transported to the European cocoaprocessing industry via Amsterdam Seaports, including companies such as ADM, Cargill and Dutch Cocoa, a daughter of the ECOM concern. Storage warehouses who also operate in West African countries such as Ivory Coast, Ghana, Nigeria and Cameroon, receive, store and distribute these beans. Cocoa is either transported in ship holds as ‘mega bulk’ or in containers in sacks or as bulk.

The transport is handled by specialised shipping companies with line services from West Africa, including Delmas/CMA CGM,

One of the Liebherr cranes from United Stevedores Amsterdam (USA), with a lifting capacity of 104 tons.

Grimaldi Lines, OT Africa Line (OTAL) and

These cranes handle container vessels of up to 8,000 TEU, including the West Africa line services

the Dutch company NileDutch. In 2009 the so-called NAF-service (North Europe

a relatively short period of time. Each

Another option is keeping the container

Africa) from Israeli shipping company

season offers the challenge of delivering

doors open on the trip to Amsterdam.”

ZIM Integrated Shipping Service and the

the product as quickly as possible and in

German Hapag-Lloyd was extended with a

optimal quality.”

route between West Africa and Amsterdam.

“We provide ‘bolsters’ on our Ro/Ro vessels,” says Jos Meeuwis, Manager at Delmas

SafMarine, a subsidiary of Danish shipping

Humidity

Holland in Amsterdam. “These are a type of

company Maersk, is another player in cocoa

The vulnerability of cocoa is mainly a

open container flat racks on which we can

shipping to Amsterdam, employing inland

matter of humidity. The humidity level

place 192 sacks of cocoa beans. In addition

vessels that transport cocoa to Amsterdam

of the beans and the large temperature

to our specialism in limiting damage

from Rotterdam and Antwerp. NileDutch,

differences in the cocoa season (October

during the ocean journey, we are unique

Delmas/CMA CGM, Grimaldi and ZIM/

to January) between Africa (35 to 40 ºC)

in the quality and experience of our agent

Hapag-Lloyd have something in common:

and Europe result in condensation that

network in Africa.”

All line services between West Africa and

can cause mould. It is therefore always

Europe have Amsterdam as their first port

important to minimise transit times and/or

OT Africa Line (OTAL) annually transports

of call.

ventilate the cargo.

around 75,000 tons of cocoa containers from West Africa to the Port of Amsterdam

“Cocoa beans are a delicate cargo and

Dennis Marcus is Sales Manager at ship

for which Slavenburg & Huyser in

the shipping therefore is a specialised

brokers Broekman Motorships, the Dutch

Rotterdam is the Dutch agent.

field of work,” says Michael van Toledo,

agent for Grimaldi Lines. “We can do

former Commercial Director for NileDutch.

more than ensure a short transit time. For

Quay to quay

“Additionally cocoa is a seasonal product,

instance, we provide shippers with kraft

The cocoa processing companies in

with a huge peak in availability over

paper and dry bags, types of dehumidifiers.

Amsterdam and the nearby city of www.amports.nl

Amsterdam Seaports No. 3 2010 5

Zaanstad, as well as the commercial businesses, have an organisation in Africa that covers the entire chain from cocoa farmer to the factory. They only outsource the sea trajectory in which the cocoa is transported in three different ways: Firstly via mega bulk, in which the beans are transported loose in the holds of a charter vessel, as occurs on the vessels from Amsterdam shipping company Spliethoff; secondly via sacks in containers (mainly for the futures market); and thirdly via bulk in containers. The beans are harvested, fermented and dried to an acceptable humidity level (up to 7.5%), loaded in

Grimaldi is one of the largest shipping companies operating between West Africa and Amsterdam Seaports

containers or deposited as bulk in the West African ports, before being transported as

largely with the owner. We do, however,

keep the container supply constant. The

quickly as possible by seagoing vessels.

provide a number of services to transport

challenge comes from the unknowns in the

the cocoa quickly and without any

cocoa trade, particularly regarding amounts

damage.”

and mode of transport. Another influence

The shipping companies have their own central points in the African countries and

is the ratio of containers to sacks, mainly for

the competition between them is fierce.

Another trend is the establishment of a

the futures market, and containers to bulk.

“The rate negotiations at the start of every

cocoa-processing industry in West Africa by

Marcus: “We have to wait and see whether

cocoa season are always a high point,”

Cargill and ADM. The benefit is that these

we made the right estimate at the start of

says Van Toledo. “This is when clients and

new facilities can offer self-produced semi-

every cocoa season.”

shipping companies really put each other

manufactured cocoa products throughout

to the test.”

the year, resulting in a welcome spread of

At the Amsterdam side everything runs

cargo.

smoothly. The six above mentioned

Trends

shipping companies all employ United

Shipping companies say that cocoa

Containers required

Stevedores Amsterdam (USA), part of the

shipping has changed considerably over

One issue all shipping companies have

Ter Haak Group, in the ‘Amerikahaven’

the past decades; more recently due to

been faced with since the arrival of the

(America Harbour). This major stevedore

the rise of the mega bulk, before that as a

container is the imbalance between import

has an excellent connection to cocoa

result of the arrival of the container. “The

and export; especially during the cocoa

storage companies and other destinations.

responsibilities have changed,” explains

season. It is necessary to have sufficient

Another benefit is that this terminal offers

Jos Meeuwis. “Although we used to be

empty containers in the African ports at the

the shipping companies the chance to

responsible for the cargo, this now lies

start of the cocoa season in October and

leave behind their ‘empties’. A single trip is sufficient for dropping off an empty container and picking up a full one. “The mutual exchange of equipment between shipping companies is not an option as we are mainly direct competitors,” concludes Jos Meeuwis. “It is handy, however, if one player occasionally transports some excess cargo from Africa for another. And that we are always willing to do.” www.terhaakgroup.com www.niledutch.com www.otal.com www.zim.co.il

ZIM and Hapag-Lloyd extended their North Europe Africa Service (NAF) to Amsterdam Seaports in February 2009

6 Amsterdam Seaports No. 3 2010

www.broekman-group.nl www.cma-cgm.com

www.amports.nl

W est A f ri c a s p e c ia l

Amsterdam: The European transport hub for West Africa As cocoa beans from West Africa make shipping line calls in Amsterdam, a variety of cargo is shipped southbound in the empty cocoa containers. West Africa has become a very important destination for the Dutch port, as is Amsterdam for the African West coast shippers and consignees.

French, British, Italian, Israeli, German and Dutch shipping lines use Amsterdam as their main port of call for Northwest Europe. It is remarkable that all five lines (NileDutch, Grimaldi, CMA-CGM Delmas, ZIM Lines/Hapag-Lloyd and OT Africa Line) are handled at the same terminal: United Stevedores of Amsterdam (USA), a member of the Ter Haak Group. In fact the well-known USA abbreviation could just as well stand for ‘United Stevedores for Africa’.

The concentration of all cargo handling activities is very convenient for all parties concerned: Shippers, warehouse operators,

The Ter Haak Group and its daughter companies are specialists in the transport of cars, lorries and other

forwarding agents, consignees as well as

rolling material to West Africa

other logistic service providers.

IJmuiden is one of the Amsterdam

products being exported from Amsterdam

Cocoa beans are by far the most important

Seaports and a major European fish

in containers to West Africa. CCY handles

commodity (some 600,000 to 700,000 tons

auction centre, while the wheat mills,

some 200 containers per month to Africa.

per year) exported from West Africa to

like the cocoa factories, are located in

the Amsterdam Seaports and the volume

Zaandam, also part of the Amsterdam

CCY, also part of the Ter Haak Group,

shipped in containers on liner vessels

Seaports.

has a large new depot for the stripping and filling of containers in the port of

has grown rapidly. Meanwhile, sawn tropical timber (150,000 to 200,000 tons

Second hand goods

Amsterdam. “You see all kinds of goods

anually) is transported packaged using

“Apart from used cars, a large quantity

being loaded here, from tyres and car

the Ro-Ro shipping method. Other export

of second hand household goods are

parts to kitchen utensils,” continues Thuijs.

commodities from West Africa include

shipped southbound in containers,”

“It is important to be clear that these are

plants, fruits and vegetables.

explains Jan Thuijs, General Manager of

good quality used goods being shipped,

Container Company Ymond (CCY). “West

not waste. Authorities regularly check the

Heading south

African countries buy good quality used

depot. If they find a fridge without a plug,

On the southbound voyages, the emptied

furniture, TVs, radios, stereo equipment,

we have to put it aside. The law does not

cocoa containers are used for the

refrigerators, computers and printers.

allow incomplete goods to be exported

transportation of return cargo. The chief

Here in Western Europe we ‘need’ the

as they are considered as waste. African

EU exports to West Africa are second hand

latest products and trade the old goods

countries can be strict as well. In Nigeria,

vehicles, shipped on the Ro-Ro (Roll on Roll

in: Flatscreen TVs for instance have quickly

for example, you have to pay much higher

off ) vessels of the liner companies. Milk

made tube TVs obsolete. These goods

import duties when a car is older than ten

powder, wheat flour, potatoes, onions and

are often still in good condition and can

years. Dutch people of African descent fill

fish are also important southbound cargo

give years of service. It’s a kind of global

the containers themselves and use these

flows. Most of the Dutch dairy exporters

recycling with a very positive effect for all

shipments to help their relatives in Africa.”

are located in the northern Netherlands,

parties in the consumer and logistic chain.”

only a short distance from Amsterdam.

Clothing and shoes are other examples of

www.terhaakgroup.com www.amports.nl

Amsterdam Seaports No. 3 2010 7

W est A f ri c a s p e c ia l

Better quality, less labour Warehousing and transhipment companies in Amsterdam Seaports store nearly one-third of the total global supply of cocoa, making Amsterdam the world’s undisputed king of cocoa ports.

Seagoing and inland vessels annually

warehouses of Sitos Commodities

Martin Versteeg is Managing Director of

deliver around 600,000 to 700,000 tons

Amsterdam, a subsidiary of CWT Sitos,

the Sitos Group, which was established

of cocoa beans to the port of Amsterdam,

handle approximately 150,000 tons

around eight years ago. Together with

an estimated 300,000 to 400,000 tons

of cocao each year. Upon arrival the

Dick de Bruin he is co-owner of this

of which is shipped to regional cocoa

company checks each batch of cocoa for

storage and transhipment company for

processing companies. The remainder

humidity, size, flavour and scent, acidity,

cocoa, coffee, hazelnuts and peanuts.

finds its way to other locations in Europe,

fermentation and crystallisation in

“With regard to cocoa, we store both the

particularly Switzerland and Germany.

so-called sample chambers. The cocoa is

beans and derived products such as cocoa

CWT Sitos is one of the larger Amsterdam

air-cleaned to remove any glass, grit and

powder, butter and mass for the cocoa

players with regard to cocoa. The fifteen

wood.

processing industry,” says Versteeg. After

8 Amsterdam Seaports No. 3 2010 www.amports.nl

CWT in Singapore took a majority share

USA receives around 50,000 containers a

in the storage, blending, checking and

in the Sitos Group in 2008, the company’s

year and he expects cocoa transportation

distribution of cocoa and coffee, while

name was changed to CWT Sitos.

by container to increase further in the

Unieveem is more specialised in the

future.

distribution and handling of derived

Bulk and sacks

cocoa products such as butter and

As is the case with CWT Sitos in

Martin Versteeg of CWT Sitos also sees a

Amsterdam, most storage and

returning demand for cocoa in traditional

transhipment companies in the port are

sacks. “For smaller industries sacks are

Unieveem has a storage warehouse

equipped to receive cocoa either as bulk

easier when it comes to testing cocoa

in Amsterdam with a total size of over

or in sacks. This includes Vollers, which has

quality,” he explains. Over the past

70,000 m², and according to Van de

powder.”

115,000 m² of warehouse space spread around three locations in the port of Amsterdam. “We mainly store cocoa in bulk that originates from West Africa,” says Eric Asselman of Vollers. “This cocoa is delivered in various ways, including in so-called box shaped vessels that are unloaded using a floating crane and transported for storage in our warehouses via conveyor belts.”

Bulk cocoa can also be shipped unpackaged in containers adds Asselman: “We pick the containers up from the terminals and empty them in our warehouses. We then use conveyor belts to make large cocoa mountains. The cocoa we store is either intended for the

A modern palletising machine

commodity futures exchanges or the regional cocoa industry and companies

few years the company has invested

Vondel the company can always rent

in Germany. Conveyor belts deliver the

hundreds of thousands of euros in

more space if necessary. On its busiest

cocoa to inland barges of between 300

improving the product and increasing

days Unieveem handles between 4,000

and 1,200 tons.”

productivity, including machinery that

and 10,000 tons of cocoa.

United Stevedores Amsterdam (USA)

makes filling sacks by hand redundant as

is a stevedores company that is part of

well as special palletising machines. CWT

Largest port

the Ter Haak Group. The transhipment

Sitos also has the only CO2 warehouse

Like other major players in the

company mainly handles container and

in the Netherlands to be fitted with an

Amsterdam cocoa sector, Van den Vondel

RoRo (Roll-on Roll-off ) vessels carrying

environmentally-friendly fire protection

also believes that Amsterdam will have no

products such as cocoa. USA also unloads

system using carbon dioxide.

competition for its position as the largest cocoa port in the world for the time

barges with containers arriving on vessels Mergers

being. “After all, the industry is already

Bob van de Vondel from transhipment

there,” he says. Eric Asselman of Vollers

Sister company Container Company

company Unieveem has noticed

makes a similar point: “As our largest

Amsterdam (CCA), also part of the Ter

another trend in the cocoa industry.

clients are located in the Zaan region,

Haak Group, cleans the containers at the

“Clients are becoming larger as more

Amsterdam Seaports is the ideal port for

terminal and repairs them if necessary

buyers merge together. This is resulting

the delivery of cocoa. This means that

so that they can be reused by the

in scale increases in the storage and

Vollers has little competition from ports

shipping companies. United Stevedores

transhipment companies as well.” As

such as Antwerp and Hamburg.”

Amsterdam’s other sister company Barge

an example Van de Vondel gives ‘his

Company Amsterdam (BCA) provides

own’ Unieveem. “This was taken over

daily inland shipping services to cocoa

in early 2009 by the Belgian Katoen

storage companies and inland shipping

Natie, which had previously purchased

terminals in the Amsterdam region.

Unicontrol, another company in the port

According to Vice President Paul Brink,

of Amsterdam. Unicontrol is involved

in other seaports.

www.cwtsitos.com www.sitoscommodities.com www. steinweg.com www. katoennatie.com www.vollers.com www.amports.nl

Amsterdam Seaports No. 3 2010 9

W est A f ri c a s p e c ia l

Ghanaian ports in pictures

A Delmas ca

rgo vessel in

the port of Ta

koradi

Loading a ship in Takoradi 10 Amsterdam Seaports No. 3 2010 www.amports.nl

W est A f ri c a s p e c ia l

Amsterdam Seaports leader in sustainable cocoa In November 2009 the first batch of sustainably produced (UTZ Certified) cocoa in the world arrived in Amsterdam Seaports. The cocoa came from two cooperatives in Ivory Coast that were the first to receive the UTZ certificate, which means among other things that the cocoa beans were produced in good working and environmental conditions.

Former Dutch Minister for Development Aid, Bert Koenders, received the first cocoa batch with UTZ certification during the Amsterdam Chocolate Festival CHOCA in November 2009 at CWT Sitos, one of the largest cocoa storage companies in the port of Amsterdam.

UTZ Certified started ten years ago in Guatemala as a hallmark for sustainable coffee. UTZ means ‘good’ in the language of the Mayas, the native Indians that are

Arrival of the first sustainably produced cocoa at CWT Sitos in the port of Amsterdam, November 2009

among the earliest users of cocoa. The UTZ Certified organisation, currently located in

the collaboration with UTZ Certified

for a period of eight months,” says Harold

Amsterdam, aims for the implementation

and the development organisation

Poelma of Cargill Cocoa & Chocolate.

of a global standard for sustainable

Solidaridad to set up a sustainable cocoa

agriculture including environmental and

chain. The initiative is supported by social

CWT Sitos became involved in the

working conditions. Since a few years it

organisations Oxfam Novib and the

certification in June 2008. According to

widened its work field to products such as

World Wildlife Fund International and

Managing Director Martin Versteeg the

palm oil, tea and cocoa.

includes the whole chain from local and

company currently stores and distributes

international manufacturers to retailers

cocoa in accordance with the UTZ

and cargo companies.

certification guidelines.

responsible approach toward both people

Pioneers

Increasing demand

and environment. This means, for instance,

ECOM Cocoa in Switzerland and Cargill

Training and certification help small cocoa

that the working conditions are good,

Cocoa & Chocolate in Zaanstad, one of

farmers in developing countries to improve

there are no harmful chemicals being used

the Amsterdam Seaports, are already

their agricultural production. Daan de

and there is no child labour. As part of the

busy certifying and training their ‘own’

Vries, Programme Manager Cocoa at UTZ

UTZ programme, farmers are trained to

cocoa farmers in Ivory Coast to produce

Certified in Amsterdam: “Professionalisation

produce better quality cocoa which should

sustainable cocoa beans. The extensive

precludes child labour. Although no system

lead to better prices for their crop.

training programmes bore fruit when the

can provide a 100 percent guarantee, that

farmers that supply cocoa beans to ECOM

is what we are aiming for. Via awareness,

Cocoa received their UTZ cocoa certificate.

monitoring and the implementation

Cocoa beans with a UTZ certificate are produced in a professional manner with a

Chain cooperation The initiative to cooperate with UTZ

of systems, our project partners, host

Certified originates from several large

The two cocoa cooperatives that partner

governments and our own organisation

companies, including food company

with Cargill in Ivory Coast, Fiédifoué and

want to help more farmers benefit from the

Cargill, ECOM Cocoa (the mother

Coopaga, also received the much wanted

programme in order to meet the increasing

company of Dutch Cocoa in the port of

UTZ certificate in August 2009. “Together

demand for sustainable cocoa.”

Amsterdam), Ahold, Heinz Benelux, Mars

with Solidaridad, Cargill Cocoa & Chocolate

and Nestlé. These companies established

trained nearly 1,600 Ivory Coast farmers

www.utzcertified.org www.amports.nl

Amsterdam Seaports No. 3 2010 11

W est A f ri c a s p e c ia l

Amsterdam Seaports as logistics hub Amsterdam Seaports houses various high-quality logistics suppliers in the cocoa sector. The majority of the cocoa is passed on to the regional cocoa-processing industry in Amsterdam and the nearby city of Zaanstad, as well as other European countries, either by inland vessel or truck.

The new inland shipping terminal SCS Multiport, situated in the most western port of Amsterdam

Some 600,000 to 700,000 tons of cocoa

Seaports, process over half the imported

have sufficient space to store one-third of

is transhipped through Amsterdam

cocoa, while the rest is mostly shipped

the global cocoa supply.

Seaports each year, the largest part of

to Germany and Switzerland. Everything

which comes from Ivory Coast and Ghana.

that stays behind is stored in warehouses,

Increase in inland shipping

Regional companies in Amsterdam and

for instance for the futures market. The

Most cocoa is supplied directly to the port

the Zaan region, part of Amsterdam

storage companies in the Amsterdam port

of Amsterdam by seagoing vessels, while

12 Amsterdam Seaports No. 3 2010 www.amports.nl

a smaller share arrives in the capital by inland vessel via the ports of Antwerp and Rotterdam. There has been a remarkable increase in the inland shipping percentage over the past decade. While the proportion of inland shipping was around the ten percent mark in 2000, by the cocoa season of 2008-2009 this had increased to 40 percent and is continuing to rise. An important reason for this growth is that more cocoa transporters are switching to inland shipping to leverage on the tightly-knit network of high-quality modern terminals and the excellent hinterland connections.

Last year, for instance, the new inland shipping terminal SCS Multiport, situated in the most western port of Amsterdam, opened for business. The terminal has a state-of-the-art crane with an ingenious operating system that can largely detect containers automatically. SCS Multiport also has a wireless communication network between the crane, reach stacker, access gates and the office. Below the crane is a separate operating system for calibrating and weighing containers. Users

Director Richard van den Dolder (Inverness Transport) during the loading of a batch of cocoa in Amsterdam

of the terminal include CWT Sitos and Large distribution centre

says Director Richard van den Dolder.

Another logistics services company

“I estimate that the current percentage

Own installations

involved in the transport and distribution

of cocoa is one-sixth of our total volume

In principle, cocoa can be transhipped

of cocoa is DSV. This company aims to

(150,000 tons a year) and this proportion is

anywhere on the quay. “It does, however,

build a large distribution centre of 72,000

rising rapidly. It is a positive development

require the right installations,” says Sander

m² in the port of Amsterdam to unite

because we now transport cocoa at

Wiegersma of Wiegersma Bulkhandling

its five facilities in one location. The new

times when we are experiencing reduced

& Transport in the Amsterdam port. His

facility will be certified with the high safety

volumes with our other agricultural

company annually handles the storage

status TAPA-A+, particularly in view of the

products.”

and transhipment of over one million

company’s activities for the automotive

tons of cocoa, using, among other things,

and cocoa industries.

Starbucks.

special conveyer belts partly designed by the logistic services company itself.

Inverness can rent over 200 lightweight truck combos (so-called semi-trailers

In addition to handling agricultural

and bottom unloaders) from transport

products such as potatoes, carrots,

companies that can load approximately

To improve its control over cocoa

grains and onions, Inverness Transport

28 tons of cocoa per combination. The

processing, Wiegersma founded a

is another company that is involved in

company also has extra smooth trailers

subsidiary in the port town of Takoradi

the bulk transport of cocoa to locations

that are easier to clean, a practical bonus

(Ghana) that is mainly involved in the

all over Europe. Bulk trailers pick up the

when having to change quickly between

storage and transhipment of cocoa beans

cocoa beans at the Amsterdam cocoa

the transportation of various agricultural

in bulk. These cocoa beans are delivered

storage companies for delivery to cocoa

products.

in sacks from the inland areas of Ghana.

factories in the Netherlands, Belgium,

Once in the port, the sacks are cut open

Germany, the UK, France, Austria, Poland

and their contents transported onto a

and Switzerland. “Cocoa is becoming

conveyor belt to a storage location.

increasingly important to our company,”

www.invernesstransport.nl www.dsv.com www.wiegersma.com www.amports.nl

Amsterdam Seaports No. 3 2010 13

W est A f ri c a s p e c ia l Amsterdam and Zaandam companies lead the way

Cocoa magic Companies in and around the Amsterdam Seaports annually processes some 15 percent of the global cocoa bean harvest, around 450,000 tons, into semi-finished products.

Cargill Cocoa & Chocolate has two facilities in the Amsterdam region with a total of 450 employees

The heart of the cocoa industry has

increase the possibilities of the cocoa

and ADM Cocoa, each with an annual

been situated in Amsterdam and the

bean by means of pressing out the fat

production of over 200,000 tons. Other

nearby Zaan region, currently part of

and using alkalisation to neutralise

names are Dutch Cocoa and several

Amsterdam Seaports, since the 19th

the acidic characteristics of the bean

niche players such as Jan Schoemaker.

century. This was due to several reasons:

(also called the ‘Dutch process’). These

This Zaandam company processes raw

Cocoa storage has to take place in a not

innovations formed the foundation

materials that are unsuitable for the

too warm, wet a climate, near a seaport

for the dominance of the Zaan and

regular cocoa processing industry and is

with reliable cocoa processing industrie

Amsterdam regions in the global cocoa

a global leader in the processing of cocoa

and warehousing facilities, and a sizeable

processing industry.

residues. The company refines cocoa

consumer market.

beans with a too high fat percentage,

A more decisive factor for Amsterdam’s

Extensive industry

that are insufficiently fermented or too

leading position is the inventions of

Heirs of the extensive cocoa processing

small, clusters (beans stuck together) and

industry in the Amsterdam region

cocoa waste. The refined end product - a

include Cargill Cocoa & Chocolate

high-quality, clear, sterile cocoa butter

Coenraad van Houten made in the 19 century. He was able to considerably

th

14 Amsterdam Seaports No. 3 2010 www.amports.nl

without scent or flavour and low on fatty acids - is shipped to the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries in Europe and the US. Schoemaker has purchasing organisations in Ivory Coast and Ghana.

Close contact with farmers Cargill covers the entire cocoa chain from the purchase of beans to the semi-manufactured product, and mostly works with cocoa farmer cooperatives.

The company has buying stations in the main cocoa producing countries with employees that have close contact with the farmers. Information exchange as well as training courses are important in order to maintain the quality and yield, and to ensure the sustainability of the cocoa. Both ADM and Cargill have cocoa processing factories in West Africa, but

ADM Cocoa mainly serves the confectionary industry, bakeries and the dairy industry

the majority of the beans are shipped to Europe in the cocoa season (October to

says Director Joop Stoots. “We then

of 1,500 km is mainly done by heated

April).

store them in warehouses in the port of

tankers. This mode of transport is most

Currently, Cargill Cocoa & Chocolate

Amsterdam and they are shipped to our

efficient because cocoa products become

has two cocoa and chocolate facilities

factories on demand. As a smaller player

liquid at temperatures above 30o Celsius,

close to the port of Amsterdam with

on the market, we focus mainly on cocoa

which allows buyers to use the product

approximately 450 employees. The total

specialities; one of our main markets is

immediately. When cooled, cocoa can be

number of employees, including those

the slightly more expensive segment in

packed in 25 kg carton boxes that can

in Belgium, France. Germany, the UK, the

West Africa as well as countries such as

easily be shipped in containers.

US, Brazil, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Vietnam

Venezuela, Ecuador, Madagascar and Sao

and Indonesia is around 1,500. Cargill

Tome & Príncipe. Whether it concerns

Trends

processes a wide range of cocoa mass,

cocoa mass, butter or powder, every

The main trend in the cocoa processing

butter and powder, chocolate fillings and

client can order their own recipe with

industry is sustainability, says Director

industrial chocolate for food, chocolate

their unique flavour profile and in any

Stoots of Dutch Cocoa. This includes

and confectionary products while

quantity.”

both environmental aspects during

helping cocoa farmers in developing

Dutch Cocoa was established in 1986

production and transport as well as

countries improve their agricultural

via a management buy-out. Since 2006

providing farmers and cooperatives

techniques.

the company has been part of ECOM

with support and security. Dutch Cocoa

ADM Cocoa was called Cacao De Zaan

Agroindustrial Inc., a Swiss-American

is, among others, active in Fair Trade,

until 1997 when the company became

company for the production of and trade

bio-cocoa, Rainforest Alliance (protection

part of the American company ADM

in agricultural products. The facility in the

of the tropical rainforest) and UTZ

(Archer Daniels Midland). ADM Cocoa

port of Amsterdam has 80 employees

certification.

provides the confectionary, bakery and

and produces a wide range of cocoa

The trend towards more exclusive

dairy industry with a wide range of

mass, butter and powder. Dutch Cocoa

chocolate is past its peak, according to

products including cocoa mass, powder

manufactures the so called ‘Dutch

Stoots. “That market is very sensitive to

and butter, chocolate and confectionary

flavour’. This specific flavour and high-

the economic situation. However shops

such as bonbons.

quality are the result of roasting and

everywhere do sell chocolate with cocoa

alkalisation.

percentages of 60, 70 or 80 percent.”

Unique recipes

ADM and Cargill supply to the entire

Dutch Cocoa, a daughter of the ECOM

world, while Dutch Cocoa’s clients are

www.adm.com

concern, purchases via carefully selected

mainly in Europe and the US and to a

www.dutchcocoa.com

traders. “We usually become owner of

lesser extent in Japan and South Korea.

www.cargill.nl

the cocoa beans during sea transport,”

Within Europe delivery up to distances

www.janschoemaker.com www.amports.nl

Amsterdam Seaports No. 3 2010 15

chocolate creative with

The festival features various master classes for learning how to prepare the best cho colate recipes

the trademark used by ‘Fingers dipped in chocolate’ was one of the participants in 2009

restaurant of olate pie in the A five-layer choc , in the centre ky ls tel Krasnapo Ho d an Gr H N the of Amsterdam

A ‘heavenly’ chocolate pie created by a well-known Amsterdam chocolate shop and patisserie

During the opening of CHOCA 2009, enthusia stic visitors sampled a wi de variety of chocolate creations

G eneral cargo & break bulk

USA-Terminal: multi­purpose hub for West Africa Amsterdam Seaports is the European multipurpose hub for cargo flows with West Africa. The three terminals of United Stevedores Amsterdam (USA) play a crucial part in strengthening trade with this region by offering maximum flexibility and the best possible service.

Multipurpose is the word that best

transport and administration.

describes the terminals of United Stevedores Amsterdam (USA), part

“Additionally, we have various

of the Ter Haak Group. Bulk, neobulk,

transportation modalities at our disposal

containers, Ro/Ro, mixed cargo and heavy

for the supply and transportation of

(project) cargo, such as oil pipelines for

goods. In short, the coordination and

the offshore industry, arrive and depart

combination of our various activities

via its 2,000 metres of quay. The USA

and the optimal application of various

facilities have a total surface area of

transport options results in flexibility and

500,000 m² divided over three terminals

cost savings for our clients.” According

in Amsterdam Seaports: A multipurpose

to Brink, it is a matter of course that the

terminal, a bulk terminal and a cocoa-

USA terminal is multimodal: “There is a

plywood terminal. The terminal

seamless connection between sea and

operator has a total of 180 employees in

inland vessels, goods trains and trucks,

Amsterdam.

while Amsterdam Schiphol Airport is just around the corner.”

“Our speciality is West Africa,” says Paul Brink, Executive Vice-President of United

Huge potential

Stevedores Amsterdam. “This includes

West Africa has a huge potential, says

incoming cargo such as cocoa beans,

Paul Brink at his workplace, United Stevedores

Brink. “With the increasing prosperity

cocoa products and plywood, and

Amsterdam (USA) in Amsterdam Seaports

in the region we have witnessed an

outgoing cargo including rolling material

export growth of 15 to 20 percent, while

(cars and trucks), general cargo, white

however, that our clients do not benefit

the cocoa import has remained stable.

goods, flour and dairy products that are

from fast turn around times. After all, lost

In addition, trade with West Africa is

transported to the region via containers

time has to be ‘compensated’ for in the

becoming less seasonal. With our strong

and Ro/Ro. We welcome many shipping

European ports as cocoa is a vulnerable

focus on return cargo, USA aims to be

companies including Grimaldi, Delmas/

natural product.”

and remain the hub for West Africa.”

Lloyd. Countries such as Ivory Coast,

“Our strength is flexibility and optimal

According to the Executive Vice-

Ghana, Cameroon and Nigeria are the

service,” Brink continues. “We create

President of USA Terminal, the entire

largest cocoa producers in the world,

added value for the total chain;

Ter Haak Group network is involved,

while Amsterdam is the global centre

for instance with our 35,000 m² in

including IJmuiden (part of Amsterdam

of expertise for the cocoa processing

storage space in the America Harbour

Seaports), the north of the Netherlands,

industry, logistics and storage.”

(Amerikahaven). We also have a so-called

inland connections to Strasburg (France)

integrated empty depot at the terminal

and Basel (Switzerland), and sister

Added value

for stripping, stuffing and cleaning

company Container Company IJmond

The West Africa trade does not involve

containers, plus defumigation and gas

(CCY). This subsidiary of the Ter Haak

vessels that arrive at Amsterdam Seaports

measurement. This means that our clients

Group is focused on container transport

at precisely predetermined times; there

can benefit from a one-stop shop where

to West Africa.

are just too many uncertainties in

they can deliver and pick-up full and

the loops. Brink: “That does not mean,

empty containers without unnecessary

CMA-CGM, NileDutch, ZIM and Hapag

www.terhaakgroup.com www.amports.nl

Amsterdam Seaports No. 3 2010 9

G eneral cargo & break bulk

New impulses for break bulk in Amsterdam Seaports Although Amsterdam Seaports annually stores and tranships some 5.2 million tons of break bulk goods, the Port of Amsterdam still has considerable extra capacity available. The port authorities have therefore started approaching potential clients who could help increase the tonnage by a further 1.6 million tons.

Amsterdam Seaports is a medium-sized player in break bulk goods such as project cargo, wood and wood products, ferro/ non-ferro and paper. With approximately 5.2 million tons a year, Amsterdam has a 13 percent share in the so-called ARA range (the seaports of Antwerp, Rotterdam and Amsterdam). However, Antwerp (16.9 million tons), Rotterdam (7.8 million tons) and even Zeeland Seaports (7.6 million tons) are considerably larger.

The Port of Amsterdam has employed management consultant Jan Weijburg to attract more break bulk. Weijburg

Dorothy Winters, Commercial Manager Containers & Logistics of the Port of Amsterdam, at the VCK

previously worked for large international

Scandia Terminal in the port of Amsterdam

mixed cargo and container shipping companies, shipping agents and steel giant

and terminal operators in Amsterdam

also opportunities in the field of soft

Corus.

Seaports and in competitor ports such as

commodities. Amsterdam has the potential

Hamburg, Bremen, Rotterdam, Zeeland

to develop into a kind of Centre of

Seaports and Antwerp.”

Excellence for coffee.”

experienced a drop in its break bulk market

Twenty potential clients

Winters and Weijburg also say that

share, while the total market has actually

Exploring the market led to a list of

Amsterdam should zero in more on

grown,” says Dorothy Winters, Commercial

potential clients. The Port of Amsterdam

such assets as its excellent hinterland

Manager Containers & Logistics for the

is convinced that the logistic services

connections and the direct connection to

Port of Amsterdam. “That is why in 2009

via Amsterdam Seaports could generate

the recently completed Betuwe line, the

we started developing a marketing plan.

substantial benefits for these companies,

new cargo rail link between the large Dutch

The main question is how we as a port

their clients and the end users. The main

seaports and the German hinterland. “The

authority and the large terminals, such

goal is to increase the Port of Amsterdam’s

fact that Amsterdam has a relatively large

as VCK Logistics, Waterland Terminal BV

volume by at least 900,000 tons, mainly

amount of space in the port area, is another

and United Stevedores Amsterdam (USA),

in the field of paper, wood and

strong point. And the message should

might attract new clients.”

wood-products, and ferro metals.

be that Amsterdam offers companies

Plan of approach “In the past five or six years, Amsterdam has

the space to grow. We should also stress “We started my research assignment in

According to Dorothy Winters and Jan

the added value of the cluster of Asian

February 2010 by analysing the market

Weijburg the Amsterdam port should

businesses, which includes ZPMC Europe,

share and cargo volume of the Amsterdam

more actively promote its strong points.

Hitachi, Nissan, Mitsubishi and Kintetsu

Seaports,” adds Weijburg. “We then

Weijburg: “This port has always been

World Express.”

performed a SWOT analysis in which we

a strong player in the storage and

looked at infrastructure, logistic facilities

transhipment of cocoa, but there are

10 Amsterdam Seaports No. 3 2010 www.amports.nl

www.portofamsterdam.nl

G eneral cargo & break bulk VCK group is looking for new challenges

Good service is half the battle in logistics VCK Logistics approaches the market with creative and innovative solutions. “It is important that our customers can rely on the best possible service,” says General Manager Jeroen Brauns.

It is a Friday when we visit Jeroen Brauns at the Scandia Terminal in Amsterdam Seaports; a well-chosen day as there are three vessels on the quay: The Birka Trader from Finnlines (for which VCK is agent), the Trans Carrier from Sea-Cargo and the Birka Shipper, from a Swedish company.

“Our busiest days are at the start and the end of the week,” says Jeroen Brauns.

“This way we aim to make the most of our planning, especially in terms of terminal services. It means that the other days are a little quieter, especially in these economically trying times.”

Finnlines has been operating a weekly service between Amsterdam and Helsinki for some time. With a minimum of two departures a week, the Norwegian

Aerial photograph of the Scandia Terminal of the VCK Group, with the cargo ferry Miranda van Finnlines in

shipping company Sea-Cargo has a

the foreground

direct connection to Western Norway.

Meanwhile, UPM Seaways operates a

Terminal, VCK Logistics has various

invests considerable time and energy in

weekly service between Kotka (Finland)

industrial clients in cooperation with

safety and quality.”

and Amsterdam.

Waterland Terminal BV, also located in

An example of optimal service is the

Amsterdam Seaports. VCK’s Expedition

cooperation between VCK Logistics and

Logistic director

Department, for instance, offers door-

the best-selling Dutch newspaper De

VCK Logistics has always been focused

to-door transport between Northwest

Telegraaf. VCK manages the entire paper

on Scandinavia and the Baltic States.

Europe, Scandinavia and the Baltic States

supply for the newspaper’s printers in

The logistics company services short-sea

for which it has a fleet of approximately

Amsterdam. Brauns: “This cooperation is

vessels that transport forestry products

80 trailers.

the logical consequence of the fact that

(wood and paper), and ferro and

our facilities are adjoining.”

non-ferro metals (steel, aluminium and

Optimal service

The General Manager says that VCK is

zinc).These products are then distributed

“You have to offer added value in order

constantly keeping its facilities up to date,

to end users in Europe and further afield

to provide the best logistic service,” says

for instance by making investments. “We

by trucks, inland vessels and cargo trains.

Brauns. “This is why we continue to invest

are also researching how we can make

On their return leg the vessels carry

in both our personnel and information

the Scandia Terminal more sustainable,

containers, project cargo and general

technology. A good example is our

something we believe is essential to the

cargo. Examples of these cargo flows are

modern IT system, with an open structure

future of this company.”

high and heavy (bulldozers, crane parts

that allows us to communicate efficiently

and forklifts), cars and campers.

with such stakeholders as the regulatory

In addition to cargo at the Scandia

authorities, clients and suppliers. VCK also

www.vckgroup.nl

www.amports.nl

www.vcklogistics.nl Amsterdam Seaports No. 3 2010 11

G eneral cargo & break bulk Stora Enso DIY Products at new location in Amsterdam Seaports

Polished service The pine boards and slats purchased at DIY stores by consumers are imported by Stora Enso Timber DIY Products in Amsterdam Seaports as timber, and then sawn, planed, supplied with labels and barcodes and delivered ready for sale. The company provides an added value to ‘simple’ wood products that are transported all the way to Southern Europe.

“Our services make it economically attractive to send products from Amsterdam Seaports to DIY stores in Spain and Portugal,” says Dick Wilkens, Director of the Dutch wood processing company Stora Enso Timber DIY Products in Amsterdam Seaports, part of a Finnish/Swedish mother company. “Although we cannot yet guarantee delivery within 48 hours like we do within the Benelux region, our service is very efficient.” According to Wilkens, this is related to the company’s move to the new location in the port of Amsterdam, next to the modern all-weather Waterland Terminal that is responsible for the transhipment of timber from seagoing vessels or coasters on behalf of Stora Enso.

Move The history of Stora Enso in Amsterdam dates back around 150 years. The Schoemakers timber yard, a family business, mainly supplied to the wood and contracting industries and was taken over by Stora Enso in 1982. Over the years, the former location in the Minerva

Director Dick Wilkens: “Our new location results in considerable efficiency benefits.”

port, close to Amsterdam’s city centre, became increasingly impractical due to

around 60,000 m3 of sustainably produced

sustainable forest management and wood

the council’s plans to redevelop the area

timber (with FSC or PEFC hallmark) in

certification as well as in minimising its

for offices and small-scale industry. After

practical packages. These packages are

carbon footprint; the total impact on

extensive negotiations and deliberations,

first taken to storage and then sawn,

the environment from the forests to the

Stora Enso decided to move to one of

planed, profiled and supplied with labels

consumers which includes the Amsterdam

the western ports, where the Port of

and barcodes by Stora Enso in accordance

branch of Stora Enso. “Our employees

Amsterdam has a long-term plan to create

with specific demands. The ready-made

mainly travel to and from work by means

a cluster of wood processing companies.

products are then taken to the storage

of public transport. Internally we have

Wilkens: “We invested twenty million euros

warehouse to await transport.

replaced our diesel trucks with electric

in our new location, five of which in a new sawmill.”

ones and we try to organise the logistics More sustainable

to our buyers as efficiently as possible, for

The innovations at the new location

instance by combining delivery regions.”

Via neighbouring company Waterland

mainly involve environmental aspects,

Terminal BV, coasters annually import

says Wilkens. Stora Enso is a leader in

www.storaenso.com www.amports.nl

Amsterdam Seaports No. 3 2010 13

H eavy transport Seven new vessels under construction

BigLift for all your heavy transport From mobile port cranes to large reactor chambers, BigLift provides all possible types of heavy transport, mainly for the (offshore) oil and gas recovery industry, the petrochemical industry and the power industry. Having been relatively unaffected by the recession, this subsidiary of Amsterdam shipping company Spliethoff will take seven new vessels into use over the coming months.

Established in 1973 as Mammoet Shipping, BigLift sees a positive future ahead. “Even though our rates are under pressure due to the economic slowdown we are still doing well,” confirms Director Arie Peterse. “We have had some good years behind us and our vessels remain almost continuously in use.”

Fleet expansion As a result of this solid foundation, BigLift can go ahead with its considerable

Happy Ranger, one of BigLift Shipping’s current fleet of nine vessels

new-build project as planned. Peterse: “We are expanding our current fleet of

advantage of being able to use vessels

the company regularly introduces

nine vessels with seven new ones; five

from mother company Spliethoff during

innovative new solutions. Peterse: “Our

multi-purpose heavy lift vessels and two

exceptionally busy periods or unexpected

engineers have developed a smart method

heavy cargo vessels.” The first phase of

situations. The companies also work

for replacing the thrusters of large, semi-

the expansion includes five vessels in the

closely together in recruiting maritime

submersible drilling platforms without

Happy D series (Happy Delta, Diamond,

personnel.

having to sail and drive the platform to a large dry dock.”

Dover, Dynamic and Dragon), currently under construction at the Chinese shipyard

BigLift carries out heavy cargo transports

Ouhua. Each has a length of 157 metres and

on all global oceans and seas. In addition

First the propulsion system is lowered

the combined lifting capacity is 800 mtons.

to its head office in Amsterdam Seaports, it

to a water depth of thirty metres where

Delivery has started in August 2010.

has eleven branches in strategic locations

divers or a remotely operated vehicle

including Houston, Sydney, Tokyo, Beijing

attach the old system to the main cable

The second new-build project includes

and Mumbai. Peterse: “We are active the

of the maintenance vessel. After the mast

two heavy cargo vessels constructed by

world over, ranging from transporting

crane has carefully lifted the thrusters on

Indian shipyard Larsen & Toubro. The Happy

mobile port cranes to the transportation

deck, the crane lowers the new propulsion

Sky and Happy Star have a length of 155

of parts for drilling platforms, generators,

system into the water and the process is

metres and a lifting capacity of 900 mtons

diesel engines and turbines for power

followed in reverse.

each, combinable to 1800 mtons. “These

plants, and pressure and reactor chambers

new vessels prepare us for the future,”

or heat exchangers for the petrochemical

BigLift‘s Tramper was the first vessel to

Peterse continues. “We are also performing

industry.” The company also works in the

employ this new technology on the Leiv

major maintenance on the cranes of our

project cargo sector and operates other

Eiriksson drilling platform. “There has been

Happy River, Happy Rover and Happy Ranger

special transports.

a great deal of interest,” adds Peterse. “We aim to develop the technology further.”

vessels.”

Changing thrusters According to Peterse, BigLift has the added

As BigLift has its own design department,

14 Amsterdam Seaports No. 3 2010 www.amports.nl

www.bigliftshipping.com

A msterdam S eaports in pictures

Lots of interest in third European Maritime Day The third edition of the annual European Maritime Day on 20 May proved just how much Amsterdam Seaports has embraced the event. As the images show, many enthusiastic companies, authorities and organisations participated in this year’s edition. The European Maritime Day was established in 2008 to draw attention to the importance of the maritime sector, including seaports and coastal and sea shipping.

Transport Group g of the Overmeer fla e th , nt Fro ts: an ‘Havengebouw’, Two loyal particip it the flag of the d hin be th wi y, mpan ciation inland shipping co rdam Ports Asso am and the Amste rd ste Am of rt Po home to the g others (Amports), amon

Flying the Flag at the ABN AMRO bank headquarte Amsterdam rs in

An impressive silhouette of the characteristic blue/ yellow flag at the coal transhipment company OBA Bulk Terminal in the port of Amsterdam.

e new offices The view from th Terminal.

IJmuiden’s Felison

Consultancy of Van den Broeke

in

hoisted s (CMF Services) and Fluid Service nt pla ud M mpany l ra nt Ce nker park. The co Day flag in its ta me iti ar M an pe ro the Eu e offshore industry products from th processes waste

www.amports.nl

Amsterdam Seaports No. 3 2010 15

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