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