AMSTERdAM - BEVERWIJK - IJMUIdEN - ZAANSTAd
AMSTERDAM SEAPORTS
Three new services to Amsterdam Record results for Amsterdam Seaports Ceres Paragon welcomes new owners
Special edition on storage and distribution 2009/nr1
www.amports.nl
Amsterdam Seaports No. 1 2009
COLOPHON
Contents
Amsterdam SEAPORTS Publisher: Amsterdam Ports Association Contributors: Bart Stam (chief editor), Mark van Baal, Jan van den Berg, Albert Boes, Joris Moes, Karel van der Weide Photos: Amsterdam Ports Associations, Dick van den Berg, Martin Hendriksen, Ed Seeder, Mirjam Terpstra, Reinder Weidijk and others.
11
28
Translation: Writewell: Andrew Rogers, Akke Pinkster
05
Innovation to serve our clients
07
News in brief
News in brief
09
Record year for Amsterdam Seaports
10
New Amsterdam-Esbjerg service
11
Ceres becomes ACT
13
Shipping Line ZIM/Hapag-Lloyd calls at Port of Amsterdam
14
New car carrier in Amsterdam
15
Cirrus Energy chooses IJmuiden as base of operations
16 -17
Through a pilot’s eyes
18-19
Tugboat powered by hydrogen and fuel cells
21
Electricity from North Sea natural gas
22
Flowers by high speed trains
23
Westway Terminals doubles storage capacity
24
Giving a boost to shore power
25
Vapour return systems to combat odours and explosions
26-27
Safety and quality in alcohol storage
28-29
River cruise industry seeks new customer groups
31
Keeping cocoa under control with carbon dioxide
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+020-626 49 69 E-mail: amports@amports.nl Website: www.amports.nl Port of Amsterdam P.O. Box 19406 1000 GK Amsterdam Telephone: (0)20-5234500 Fax: +31 20-6209821 Ships movements information: Telephone: +31 20-6221515 E-mail: havendienst@portofamsterdam.nl Website: www.amsterdamports.nl 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 Hans Lip (Neuss/Düsseldorf ) +31 654 334 744 hans.lip@portofamsterdam.nl Asia Gert-Jan Nieuwenhuizen (Shanghai) +86-13916694437 and +31 06 5369 3487 gert-jan.nieuwenhuizen@portofamsterdam.nl Beverwijk Harbour Noorderkade 1, 1948 NR Beverwijk Telephone: +31 251-224750 Fax: +31 251-214050 E-mail: havenmeester@beverwijk.nl Web site: www.beverwijk.nl 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 Web site: www.zeehaven.nl Zaanstad Harbour Westkade 2, 1506 BA Zaandam Telephone: +31 75-6816888 Fax: +31 75-6816799 E-mail: havens@zaanstad.nl Web site: www.zaanstad.nl
Cover photo: visitors boarding the MV San Francisco on the occassion of the maiden call at Ter Haak’s USA terminal. Photo: Reinder Weidijk
Business Association ORAM De Ruijterkade 7 1013 AA Amsterdam Telephone: +31 20-6222111 Fax: +31 20-6203133 E-mail: info@oram.nl Web site: 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 Web site: www.amsterdam.kvk.nl Layout: FIZZ reclame + communicatie, Meppel Printed by: Giethoorn ten Brink, Meppel
Amsterdam Seaports No. 1 2009
www.amports.nl
AMPORTS
Innovation to serve our clients As a leading distribution country that is largely dependent on a well-functioning logistics and transport sector, innovation is of vital importance to the Netherlands. And Dutch seaports are certainly no exception to this rule. A failure to be sufficiently innovative carries a very real risk that key shipping companies and scheduled services will move elsewhere. This applies especially to the Le Havre-Hamburg range, where competition is fierce and the distances between ports short. Fortunately, Amsterdam Seaports has an excellent service record when it comes to innovation. Some fine examples from recent years include the advanced container terminal of Ceres Paragon, the covered Waterland Terminal, the new fire management system at Sitos, high-quality vapour return lines at the oil terminals, the inland ship with individual crane (AMSbarge), the community system Port NET, the processing of waste fats at Greenmills, a port tugboat and a truck running on hydrogen, and much more besides‌
for shipping, inland shipping and shipbuilding. These were recently supplemented with a new subsidy regulation for seaports.
The four ports on the North Sea Canal (Amsterdam, Beverwijk, IJmuiden and Zaanstad) and trade and industry have a policy to
Over the next five years the Dutch government is providing five
actively promote innovation. During 2009, for instance, Amsterdam
million euros for innovative and sustainable projects in Dutch
and Zaanstad will make considerable investments in shore power
seaports. Although this amount does not allow for innumerable
facilities for inland shipping and river cruisers. This will lead to a
large-scale projects, it will encourage new initiatives to make Dutch
sizeable reduction of both harmful emissions and noise pollution
seaports more efficient, functional and cleaner. And we should
as vessels turn off their diesel generators when moored at the quay.
also mention the new Innovation Fund of the Amsterdam seaport. Taken as a whole, it is clear that Amsterdam Seaports is taking the
We are also pleased that the Dutch government is paying increas-
lead in the field of innovation.
ing attention to the importance of innovation in the maritime sector in general, and at seaports in particular. We already had the Mar-
Michiel A. Wijsmuller,
itime Innovation Programme (MIP) and innovation programmes
Chairman AmPorts
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. 1 2009
news in brief
AEO certification
Grimaldi increases frequency
Amsterdam Container Terminals (formerly
to West Africa
known as Ceres Paragon, see page 11), became
Shipping company Grimaldi Lines has increased the frequency of its
the first Dutch deep sea container terminal
Central Express Service departing from the United Stevedores Am-
to receive AEO certification from the Dutch
sterdam (USA) terminal. Instead of once a week, vessels now leave
Customs in January 2009. This will increase the
to various destinations in West Africa once every six days. Equipped
speed and efficiency with which containers are
to transport RoRo, containers, break bulk and project cargo, they sail
handled at the terminal.
directly to the ports of Dakar (Senegal), Lomé (Togo), Cotonou (Benin), Tema and Takoradi (Ghana) and Lagos (Nigeria). The scheduled service then moves on to Abidjan and San Pédro (Ivory Coast), two ports that play a major role in the supply of cocoa to Amsterdam. The second service to West Africa by Grimaldi Lines is the Southern Express Service. This sails straight from United Stevedores Amsterdam to Luanda (Angola), Pointe Noire (Congo Brazzaville) and Douala (Cameroon). Grimaldi recently expanded the service with two new builds: The Grande Angola and Grande Ghana. Broekman Motorships, part of the Broekman Group, is the exclusive Dutch agent for Grimaldi. This shipping division represents around 40 shipping companies.
Amsterdam Container Terminals One of the vessels used for Grimaldi’s Central Express Service
Container terminals with this type of certificate receive less physical inspections and document checks. AEO-certified companies can also re-
IJmuiden to Kolding service
quest checks at specific locations and are given
A new scheduled service will be operating between Kolding Havn
priority in compulsory checks. The European
in Denmark and IJmuiden, part of Amsterdam Seaports. The initiator
Union has been offering companies the oppor-
is local Danish company H. Daugaard, which plans to import large
tunity to request AEO status since September
quantities of tinplate for the production of tins for the food industry,
2007 so as to ensure fewer logistic delays and
among other things. The company’s main office is situated in Kold-
lower administrative costs. The certificate is
ing Port and has 220 employees.
valid in all EU member states.
MORE ABOUT AMSTERDAM PORTS ASSOCIATION AND ITS 300 MEMBERS: www.amports.nl www.amports.nl
Amsterdam Seaports No. 1 2009
news in brief Reefer line service IJmuiden-Alaska
Winter cruises
Dutch company Kloosterboer IJmuiden is constructing a new complex of
Amsterdam Seaports rounded off the 2008
cold stores in Dutch Harbour (Alaska) in cooperation with the local port
cruise season at Christmas onboard two ships
service Dutch Harbour Ports LLC. Dutch Harbour is home to leading fish-
from Norwegian company Fred. Olsen Cruises.
ing companies such as the Glacier Fish Company and American Seafoods,
The vessels moored together at the Passen-
who will store their goods in the new cold stores. The first phase will have
gers Terminal Amsterdam (PTA). In 2008,
a capacity of 120,000 m3 for fish including Alaskan pollock, cod, king’s crab
Amsterdam Seaports welcomed a record
and salmon.
number of 130 ships at its Felison coastal terminal and the PTA.
Kloosterboer will manage the services of the Alaska cold store from a new office in Seattle. This office will also support the new scheduled service between Dutch Harbour and IJmuiden that will start once the cold store is ready in mid 2009. The cold store will be built out of prefab parts from Poland, including panels, floors and roof insulation. These materials were shipped from the Netherlands to Alaska in January. The steel construction has been imported from South Korea, with the concrete and machinery coming from within the US.
Ter Haak Logistics opens distribution centre Ter Haak Logistics (THL) has been using its new 12,000 m2 distribution centre near Amsterdam since the start of 2009. The company can directly supply the nearby factory of Mitsubishi Caterpillar Forklift Europe (MCFE) from A Kloosterboer reefer
the warehouse. Ter Haak has been managing MCFE’s supplies since 2002 and has an option
Fishing ports for Ghana
on an adjacent vacant lot of 5,000 m2.
Early December 2008 saw the Ghanaian President give the green light for three of the 14 fishing ports that will be developed in Ghana by Dutch consultancy and engineering company DHV. The overall development of all the ports will run until 2014 and involve an investment of around 150 million dollars. Ghana has been struggling with the issue of how to build fishing ports along its inhospitable, irregular coastline for over a century. The Ghanaian Ministry of Fishery commissioned DHV to take on this challenge nearly two years ago. The 14 new fishing ports are intended to ensure major fish export and thus enhance the quality of life of the Ghanaian population. DHV’s role in the project will primarily revolve around land reclamation and the design of breakwaters and embankments. The engineering company is also designing the accompanying infrastructure such as buildings and a pipeline network. Twelve of the fishing ports are to be situated along the coast and two at the inland Volta reservoir.
MORE ABOUT AMSTERDAM PORTS ASSOCIATION AND ITS 300 MEMBERS: www.amports.nl Amsterdam Seaports No. 1 2009
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A nnual figures 2 0 0 8 ‘Past results are no guarantee for future performance’
Record year for Amsterdam Seaports Amsterdam Seaports enjoyed a record year in 2008 with an impressive overall turnover of 94.8 million tons. This represents a rise of 8.2 percent compared to 2007. Although the prospects for 2009 are unclear, Amsterdam Seaports, the ORAM association of employers and IJmuiden Seaport see plenty of opportunities.
“What’s in store for 2009? Who knows…” said General Director Peter van de Meerakker of IJmuiden Seaport NV during a joint New Year’s reception in Amsterdam. Hans Gerson, General Director of Amsterdam Seaports and Jasper Heusdens (Chairman of the association of port employers, ORAM) were also reluctant to hazard a guess. But all three speakers agreed that Amsterdam Seaports has plenty of resilience. Gerson: “It looks like Amsterdam Seaports will do relatively well thanks to the recent investments
The modernized NuStar terminal is a fine example of increased transhipment capacity of oil products in
in energy terminals and the wide range of
Amsterdam
facilities on offer.” facilities at the OBA and Rietlanden termi-
Van de Meerakker believes that the new
Better than the rest
nals. Sea cruises also did well with 226,000
Internet Security System is starting to bear
In 2008 the transfer of goods at Amsterdam
passengers – 147,000 in 2007. The number
fruit. The number of ship movements also
Seaports increased by over eight percent
of cruise ships rose by 50 percent from 78
increased considerably, partly due to the
from 87.8 million to 94.8 million tons. Am-
to 117, whereas the number of river cruises
maintenance of two offshore wind turbine
sterdam recorded a jump of 11.6 percent
dropped slightly from 1019 to 998 - despite
farms in the North Sea.
to 75.8 million tons. The transhipment of
a constant passenger number of around
oil products, for instance, increased by no
170,000. In total over 6000 seagoing vessels
The year 2008 also saw growth at the port
less than 22.6 percent to 30.5 million tons.
visited the Amsterdam Seaports in 2008, a
of Beverwijk: From 541,000 to 576,000
Major reasons included increased exports
rise of 13.3 percent.
tons, an increase of 6.44 percent. With
to the USA and the expansions at Oiltank-
an export figure of 75,000 tons, BeverIJmuiden seaport
wijk was again the largest potato port in
Over the course of the past three years,
Europe. Goods transfer in Velsen/IJmuiden
Ceres Paragon handled around 435,000
Amsterdam Seaports has grown by around
on the other hand decreased from 19
containers last year, a growth of 12.8
32 percent; 13.4 percent in 2006, 6 percent
million to 18.3 million tons, a fall of 3.9
percent compared to 2007 (385,600 TEU).
in 2007 and 11.6 percent last year.
percent. The reason for this is obvious: The
ing and NuStar.
Agribulk (+5 percent), artificial fertiliser
considerable decrease in demand for steel
(+2.3 percent) and the sand, gravel and
“IJmuiden Seaport has had an extraordinar-
products from Corus. Zaanstad also took
minerals sector (+15.6 percent) were
ily successful year,” says Director Peter van
a step back, dropping by 2.9 percent from
also on the increase. Coal transfer lagged
de Meerakker, mentioning the rise in fish
165,000 to 160,000 tons. This is mainly due
behind with a negligible growth of 0.1
turnover to over 41 million euros as an ex-
to a reduced grain transfer.
percent to 17.3 million tons. Amsterdam
ample. “This has strengthened our position
Seaports attributes this to the extended
as second fish market in the Netherlands.”
www.portofamsterdam.nl www.amports.nl
Amsterdam Seaports No. 1 2009
C orporate news Sea-Cargo to use LNG-powered vessels in 2011
New Amsterdam-Esbjerg service Norwegian shipping company Sea-Cargo A/S started a new Ro/Ro line service from Amsterdam to Esbjerg (Denmark) on January 30.The Polish captain of the ms Tor Minerva was presented with the traditional port shield for the maiden call by Dorothy Winters, Commercial Manager of the Port of Amsterdam.
Tor Minerva moored at VCK Logistics’ Scandia Terminal
The Sea-Cargo Ro/Ro service leaves from the Scandia Terminal of VCK Logistics in the Suez Harbour to the seaport in Western Jutland twice a week, on Tuesdays and Fridays. In addition to Tor Minerva, the Norwegian shipping company will also deploy Trans Carrier. Tor Minerva has a length of 177 metres and carries 134 trailers. Sea-Cargo recently extended the length of Trans Carrier from 125 to 144 metres, as a result of which she
Dorothy Winters (Port of Amsterdam) presents the special shield to the captain of Tor Minerva
can now carry 94 trailers. Both vessels also transport containers, pallets, heavy cargo
that they are powered by liquid natural
and project cargo as well as Ro/Ro.
gas (LNG). Their exceptional Rolls Royce
ble amounts of particles and sulphur.
engines use liquid natural gas (at -163° Cel-
The new vessels will have a length of 333
Sea-Cargo, which is also represented in
sius) for propulsion. This offers a reduction
metres, a load capacity of 5,600 tdwt (1150
Amsterdam, will start using two new multi-
in carbon dioxide emissions of 20 percent
load metres), space for 94 containers and be
purpose vessels in late 2010 or early 2011
compared to diesel engines and a stagger-
fitted with their own 50-ton container crane.
that are currently being built in a yard in
ing drop of 90 percent in NOx emissions.
India. A special feature of these ships is
These LNG engines also produce negligi-
10 Amsterdam Seaports No. 1 2009
www.amports.nl
www.sea-cargo.no
business news Major change in ownership
Ceres becomes ACT Hutchison Port Holdings Ltd. (HPH) in Hong Kong acquired a majority share in Ceres Container Terminals Europe (CTE) in mid December 2008. The HPH website states that the company will continue under its new name Amsterdam Container Terminals (ACT).
Until December, Japanese company NYK
terminal where cranes on both sides of the
Terminals (ECT) of which Hutchison Port
(Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha) held full
dock load and unload container ships at
Holdings is the mother company. In its
ownership. In the Netherlands CTE consists
record speed. As far as is known, the HPH
turn, HPH is part of Hutchison Whampoa
of the Ceres Paragon Terminal in the Ameri-
takeover will have no consequences for
Limited (HWL) that has interests in 50 ports
ka Harbour and the ro/ro terminal Ceres
employment.
in 26 countries in Asia, Africa, Europe, North
Amsterdam Marine Terminals (CAMT) in
and South America, and Australia. In 2007
the West Harbour. The new name of CAMT
Non-disclosure
the HPH Group was responsible for the
is Amsterdam Marine Terminals. It is said
Hutchison and NYK refuse to name the
storage and transport of 66.3 million TEU in
that negotiations between Hutchison and
figure involved in the transaction. Both
containers. NYK had a turnover of 26 billion
NYK took some six months before agree-
parties have stated that NYK will retain
dollars in 2007 and employs around 55,000
ment was reached on the ultra-modern
a minority share in Europe Container
people worldwide. Hutchison had been interested in Ceres Paragon for some time. The Hong Kong company made its first bid in 2004, but founding company Kritikos opposed the takeover. The terminal has been fully owned for the past two years by NYK, which is currently operating three scheduled services from Asia for Grand Alliance. According to Freek Ossel, Port Alderman of Amsterdam, Hutchinson’s majority share is an “interesting development for the Amsterdam port and one that we believe will create many opportunities.” Osser believes that the takeover allows Amsterdam Container Terminals to further set itself apart as an independent container terminal that offers many benefits for large shipping companies. Annual figures 2008 Early January Ceres announced its transfer figures for 2008, which amounted to over 425,000 TEU, or 250,000 moves. Over 310,000 cars were loaded and unloaded at CAMT last year.
The modern container terminal of Ceres Paragon, now called Amsterdam Container Terminals (ACT).
www.ceresglobal.nl www.amports.nl
Amsterdam Seaports No. 1 2009 11
B usiness news Container ships to United Stevedores Amsterdam
Shipping line ZIM/Hapag-Lloyd calls at Port of Amsterdam Israeli shipping company ZIM Integrated Shipping Services, which mainly transports containers, and Hapag-Lloyd extended their North Europe Africa Service (NAF) to Amsterdam in mid February. The companies will initially call once every 11 days at the United Stevedores Amsterdam (USA) terminal, a part of the Ter Haak Group. This brings the number of deepsea services operating via USA to four.
The new service’s first container vessel, the MV San Francisco (capacity 1,600 TEU), arrived at the USA terminal on February 17. To mark the occasion Dertje Meijer, commercial manager of the Port of Amsterdam, presented Captain Göhler of the MV San Francisco with a symbolic shield of the Port of Amsterdam. ZIM Integrated Shipping Services is a large Israeli shipping company that mainly operates with container ships. It currently manages around 60 scheduled
Arrival of ZIM’s MV San Francisco in Amsterdam
services in Europe, the US, Canada, Latin America, Africa and Asia. For the time being ZIM will start with three container vessels of 1,500 and 2,000 TEU for the bi-weekly service between West Africa and Amsterdam. One of the three vessels is owned by Hapag-Lloyd, which offers 80 scheduled services world wide and a total fleet capacity of around 500.000 TEU. With 25 hectares of terrain, three terminals, a total quay length of nearly 2,000 metres and some 75,000 m2 of warehouse space, USA is one of the largest stevedores in the Port of Amsterdam. The company is specialised in the handling and storage of containers, timber, RoRo break bulk, cargo bulk and project cargo. USA is part of the Ter Haak Group. Dertje Meijer (Port of Amsterdam) presents the shield to
According to United Stevedores Amster-
Captain Göhler of the MV San Francisco.
dam, the arrival of the new ZIM/HapagLloyd service can be partly attributed to
company manages additional activities
USA has extensive knowledge of and
the operational and logistical services of-
such as storage, cleaning, repairs and the
experience with the trade route to and
fered by the Ter Haak Group. The mother
repositioning of containers. In addition,
from West Africa. www.amports.nl
Amsterdam Seaports No. 1 2009 13
B usiness news Maiden voyage of Nissan’s Pleiades Spirit
New car carrier in Amsterdam On 11 February the RoRo vessel Pleiades Spirit docked in Amsterdam harbour. This brand-new car carrier from Nissan has room for some 6400 vehicles. An impression of the maiden voyage.
The Pleiades Spirit heading towards Amsterdam.
The Pleiades Spirit carried a cargo of Nis-
“I feel very secure onboard this vessel,”
years. “Nissan decided to build this vessel
sans and Subarus, mainly four-wheel drives
Doruelo adds.
three years ago when car sales were on the
such as the Patrol and X-trail. It sailed
Koopman Car Terminal in the West Port in
rise. No-one anticipated then the current
from Japan via the Strait of Malakka and
Amsterdam makes for an impressive sight
economic situation or the dramatic fall in
Suez Canal to the Mediterranean. Here the
as thousands of Patrols and X-Trails are
car sales. But owning a quality ship like
carrier visited ports such as Tartus (Syria),
driven onto the quay, starboard of Pleiades
Pleiades Spirit means we will be ready for
Larnaka (Cyprus) and Piraeus (Greece).
Spirit‘s giant bridge. Nissan is distributing
the upturn when it comes.”’
The RoRo vessel then travelled via Tripoli
these vehicles from Amsterdam to vari-
(Libya), Livorno (Italy), Barcelona, Rotter-
ous destinations in Western and Eastern
Specifications
dam and Newcastle to Amsterdam.
Europe, including Russia.
• Name: Pleiades Spirit
“The tensest moment was passing through
In normal circumstances, car carriers return
• Type: Car Carrier
the Gulf of Aden,” says Philippine captain
to Asia full of European cars. When the
• Built: 25 June – 13 October 2008
Willy Doruelo. “We saw two speedboats
Pleiades Spirit leaves Amsterdam, however,
• Length: 199.99 m
each carrying nine pirates come within
she will cross the Atlantic to load American
• Beam: 32.26 m
several hundred metres. I changed course
cars in four US ports. The vessel will return
• Draft: 9.73 m (max)
to starboard and sealed the ship.” The
to Japan in three or four month’s time.
• Cargo: 17,424 ton
captain considered calling in help from in-
“Where the next journey will takes her is
• Tonnage: 60,330 ton
ternational navy vessels, but in the end the
still unknown,” says Japanese manager Yuji
• Capacity: 6,400 cars
pirates abandoned the idea of climbing
Takayama, who has been working for Nis-
• Propulsion: 7-cylinder super long stroke
a 40-metre high ship sailing at 20 knots.
san Europe in the Netherlands for several
14 Amsterdam Seaports No. 1 2009
www.amports.nl
15 megawatt diesel
innovation Natural gas production to start in 2009
Cirrus Energy chooses IJmuiden as base of operations Cirrus Energy has chosen IJmuiden as its operational base for North Sea offshore activities. The company’s offices will be located at the Maritime Service Centre IJmond (MSCIJ).
Fabricom Oil & Gas is currently constructing the unmanned production platform M7-A in IJmuiden
Oil and natural gas below the bot-
Unmanned platform
Natural Gas Company (NAM), which will
tom of the North Sea are still attract-
Cirrus Energy mainly has interests in smaller
process the natural gas. Cirrus will start pro-
ing new companies as smaller firms
oil and gas fields in various parts of the
ducing natural gas at this location during
take over fields previously exploited
North Sea. The company has already been
the course of 2009.
by large players such as Shell. One
granted permission to extract natural gas
At the second location near Ameland, grid
such newcomer is Cirrus Energy from
from two fields: M7-A and M1-A at 25 and
M1-A, Cirrus Energy is placing the required
Canada, established in 2002 and busy
50 kilometres north of the Dutch Wadden
infrastructure of valves and connections
with extracting oil in Trinidad and
Island of Ameland respectively. An un-
on the seabed. The installation is due to
Tobago off the Venezuelan coast since
manned M7-A platform built by Fabricom
be finished in the second quarter of 2009.
2004. At the start of 2008 the Canadian
Oil & Gas in IJmuiden will be placed on the
Cirrus will transport natural gas from this
company also opened offices in Zoeter-
first location. The M7-A location already
platform via an existing pipeline to produc-
meer, while its work on the Dutch part
has an old drilling well but this no longer
tion platform G17-A for processing.
of the North Sea is based at MSCIJ in
meets the current requirements for safety
Cirrus is also exploring a gas field off the
IJmuiden. Cirrus Energy uses the Ocean
and continuity, which is why oil company
coast of the province of South Holland. Here
Scotsman supply boat to transport
Wintershall will drill a new well that can be
the Noble Lynda Bossler platform has drilled
goods for offshore activities to and
connected to the new production platform.
up to a depth of 2,750 metres below the
from the IJmond port. Cirrus Energy is
A 13-kilometre pipeline was placed from
seabed. Cirrus estimates that the location
the first offshore client at MSCIJ.
grid M7-A to platform L-9 FF of the Dutch
holds five billion cubic metres of natural gas. www.amports.nl
Amsterdam Seaports No. 1 2009 15
amster d am seaports
16 Amsterdam Seaports No. 1 2009
www.amports.nl
Through a pilot’s eyes Registered pilot Klaas Wester is fully focused as he helps the
industry early in his life, sailing as a child with his barge skip-
bulk carrier Coal Age to moor at the quay of IGMA, a major
per father. Later he studied at the Nautical Training Academy
freight handling company in the port of Amsterdam. This is
in Amsterdam before joining the KNSM as second helmsman.
one of 120 prints in the book Through the eyes of a Pilot, which
From 1983 until 2006 Klaas was a registered pilot in the Am-
was published independently by Amsterdam photographer
sterdam-IJmond region. He also worked as a teacher and in-
Mirjam Terpstra in late 2008. She has taken many striking
structor at various regional and national training programmes
images of the work of eight marine pilots in the Amsterdam-
for registered pilots.
IJmond region while accompanying them on dozens of trips. The text in the book is in English and Dutch.
www.mirjam-terpstra.nl
Klaas Wester (1951) became acquainted with the shipping
www.amports.nl
Amsterdam Seaports No. 1 2009 17
innovation Offshore Ship Designers (OSD), Iskes and Smit design Green Tug
Tugboat powered by hydrogen and fuel cells Offshore Ship Designers (OSD), Iskes Towage and Salvage, Smit and a number of other Dutch partners are developing an environmentally-friendly harbour tugboat. Dubbed the ‘Green Tug’, the vessel is largely powered by fuel cells and batteries. OSD Director Michiel Wijsmuller expects the prototype to be ready in 2011.
Project manager Marc van der Zwaluw of Offshore Ship Designers (OSD)
“The idea for a harbour tugboat fuelled
remaining time (de)mobilising: Sailing to
Fuel cells with polymers
by hydrogen and fuel cells came to me at
or from the objects that require assistance.
“Our starting point is a 30-metre tugboat
a New Year’s reception last year where I
The Green Tug is powered by a combina-
with a towing capacity of 65 tons and 200
saw a model of the HyTruck,” says Michiel
tion of hydrogen, fuel cells and clean diesel
kilowatts in fuel cells,” explains Project
A. Wijsmuller, Director and partner of
generators rather than diesel engines. An
Manager Marc van der Zwaluw. “The fuel
Offshore Ship Designers (OSD) in IJmuiden,
added benefit is that we can temporar-
cells operate via an electrochemical proc-
previously WorldWise Marine Engineer-
ily store the surplus electrical capacity in
ess and the design team believes that PEM
ing (sidebar). “Designed by Dutch trans-
batteries.”
(Proton Exchange Membrane) fuel cells
port company Boudesteijn, this truck is
will be most suitable. The Proton Exchange
powered by hydrogen and I asked myself
Provisional calculations show that, com-
Membrane creates a reaction between
whether such a solution would be suitable
pared with a conventional tugboat, the
hydrogen and oxygen whereby energy is
for harbour tugboats. They work at full ca-
Green Tug emits up to 90 percent less sul-
released as electricity and the only ‘waste
pacity when towing or pushing, which is no
phur oxide, nitrogen oxide and soot, and 30
product’ is water.” NedStack Fuel Cell
more than 15 percent of the time. Around
to 50 percent less CO2. This translates into a
Technology in Arnhem is the supplier for
70 percent is spent on stand-by and the
considerable improvement in air quality.
the PEM.
18 Amsterdam Seaports No. 1 2009
www.amports.nl
NedStack, MARIN (Maritime Research Institute Netherlands) and electrical engineering company Bakker Sliedrecht. MARIN will be optimising a 2.5-metre scale model in one of its hull testing tanks and Bakker Sliedrecht is responsible for the power management system. “The SMI subsidy of 450,000 euros provides a welcome financial boost,” says Wijsmuller. “The feasibility study will be completed in mid-2009 after which we will continue with the plan study, the detailed design and the construction of the first model.” Depending on how much space is available in the shipyards, a prototype can be finished in 2011. Other innovations The approximately 50 m3 of hydrogen is
MARIN tug tanks
In addition to the Green Tug, OSD cur-
stored in synthetic cylinders of 350 bar. “Al-
Wijsmuller’s hydrogen hybrid harbour
rently has two other innovative ships on
though we would like to have even more
tug (Green Tug) was well received at two
order. The first is a 48-metre tugboat with
pressure in order to increase the storage
international conferences in Singapore
a limited draught (max. 2.5 metres) for
capacity, Dutch government inspectors
and New York during 2008. Offshore Ship
a Russian client, which will be used for
(IVW) have yet to approve this,” Wijsmuller
Designers also found partners within the
activities in the Caspian Sea and on rivers,
continues. “The battery type has yet to be
Netherlands, including Iskes Towing and
while also serving as an icebreaker.
fixed: The most likely candidates are lead-
Salvage and Smit. “I have also heard that
The second project is the S-bow, devel-
acid batteries and lithium-ion batteries.”
there is a great deal of interest from the
oped in cooperation with daughter com-
port authorities of both Rotterdam and
pany OSD-IMT in the UK. “The S-shaped
Amsterdam.”
bow and favourable waterline of this new
Wijsmuller does not anticipate any major problems with filling the hydrogen tanks
tug should ensure that the ship remains
onboard when the boat is finished in two
The project already received a grant from
operational much longer in bad weather
years. “Hydrogen is an important by-
the Dutch government’s new Maritime
and high waves,” Wijsmuller clarifies. “We
product of the petrochemical industry.
Innovation Subsidies Regulation. In
delivered the first model to North Star
And there is already a filling station for
addition to OSD, Iskes and Smit, three
and so far have received only positive
local buses in Amsterdam.”
other major subcontractors are involved:
feedback from crew members.”
Offshore Ship Designers
of WorldWise Marine Engineering, which
that currently has 12 employees, primarily
Offshore Ship Designers (OSD) currently
was established in 2002 after a merger
naval architects and mechanical engi-
has 45 employees, consisting mainly of
between Wijsmuller Engineering and
neers.
naval architects and mechanical engi-
Marman Brokerage. To increase its market
neers. In addition to the head office in
share in the offshore and tug sectors,
To underline that all design activities cur-
IJmuiden, the company has four offices in
WorldWise Marine took over British
rently take place within one company, the
England and Scotland and one in China.
company IMT Marine Consultants in 2006,
name WorldWise Marine Engineering was
Its two core activities are the offshore in-
together with Dutch engineering firm
changed to Offshore Ship Designers. Due
dustry (80 percent of all orders) and tugs
Sea of Solutions. IMT is specialised in the
to its high brand recognition, the name
(20 percent). Major clients include Multra
design of medium to large offshore ves-
IMT will be incorporated in the new name
Ship, Vroon Offshore, Swire Pacific, North
sels. In 2008 WorldWise Marine became a
for the UK: OSD-IMT Ltd. “IMT is an estab-
Star and Møkster.
majority shareholder in IMT. In the same
lished name that we want to maintain,”
Offshore Ship Designers is the new name
year OSD opened an office in Shanghai
Michiel Wijsmuller concludes.
www.amports.nl
Amsterdam Seaports No. 1 2009 19
20 Amsterdam Seaports No. 1 2009
www.amports.nl
offshore Smart Energy Solutions to start in 2012
Electricity from North Sea natural gas Smart Energy Solutions in Amsterdam is going to generate electricity from small natural gas fields in the North Sea, transported to a new offshore wind farm via an electricity cable.
Artist’s impression of the future installation on the North Sea, due to go online in 2012
While there are numerous small natural
known as ‘gas-to-wire’ technology.
tion is unlikely to be outdated and can be
gas fields in the North Sea, investments to
“This is a useful technology as it allows
moved to another gas field.
exploit them have often proved unprofit-
us to exploit the available natural gas at
able. Now the Amsterdam company Smart
low costs,” says Anne Visser, Director of
Two key factors make the Smart Energy So-
Energy Solutions has found a new way to
Smart Energy Solutions. “This is partly due
lutions approach profitable: The high out-
utilise this natural gas.
to the fact that wind turbines are rarely
put of the gas engines and the minimum
operating to their maximum capacity.” As
infrastructure required (there is no need
combustion engines
a result, 60 percent of the connected cable
for a new gas pipeline as the natural gas is
The gas will come from a reservoir below
remains unused and ‘space’ is available as
burned above the source). The costs for the
the new offshore wind farm Princess
long as wind turbines do not produce at
electricity cable from the engines/genera-
Amalia, which is named after the eldest
full capacity. Gas engines can simply be
tors platform to the wind farm inverter
daughter of Dutch Crown Prince Willem
turned off whenever the cable is entirely
platform are also reasonably low as it only
Alexander and Princess Maxima. Located
needed for the wind turbines.
involves a length of a few kilometres.
gas will be transported to combustion
other gasfields
Smart Energy Solutions has its eye on sev-
engines on a platform that Smart Energy
The installation Smart Energy Solutions
eral other small gas fields. “I am not going
Solutions intends to construct near the
will use has an electrical capacity of 8.8
to say which ones,” Visser concludes. “But
wind farm (see illustration). These engines
MW – comparable to two or three large
we are convinced of the possibilities.” Gas
enable generators to produce electricity
wind turbines at sea. By the time the gas
and electricity production at the Princess
and a cable connecting the wind farm
in the reservoir runs out – as insufficient
Amalia wind farm is due to start in 2012.
with the shore is used to transport the
gas flows from the source due to a pres-
electricity to the mainland in a process
sure drop in the reservoir – the installa-
off the coast of the seaport IJmuiden, the
www.smartenergy-solutions.com www.amports.nl
Amsterdam Seaports No. 1 2009 21
S torage & d istribution European network blossoms
Flowers by high speed trains
Zou je hier een betere foto van kunnen aanleveren, moet het dit specifieke type zijn? anders kan ik wellicht ook nog wat vinden via internet
Over the coming decade a European
that the European high speed network
modern rail terminal called HST Cargo
network will be set up for the transporta-
is a success, allowing transport and tran-
will be built near Schiphol Airport.
tion of goods by high speed train (TGV).
shipment companies to rapidly transfer
Among the Dutch initiators are parties
The major benefit of these TGVs is that
goods from trucks or planes onto fast
such as Amsterdam Airport and KLM
they can reach speeds of 300 km an hour
freight trains.
Cargo. They signed a partnership agree-
and provide a serious environmentally
ment in mid 2008 with Euro CAREX, a
friendly alternative to aircraft and lorries.
HST cargo
semi-government organisation in France
Their added value is especially high for
The main items involved will be express
that has already started pilot projects
freight transport distances between 500
goods, flowers and fresh products. The
transporting goods by high speed trains
and 1500 km.
cities participating in the first project
in its homeland (TGV Cargo). As a follow-
phase are Paris, Lyon, London, Liege
ing step, Euro CAREX is looking to expand
european network
and Amsterdam, with Frankfurt, Milan,
freight transport by TGV to the rest of
New rail terminals are essential to ensure
Barcelona and Madrid set to join later. A
Europe.
22 Amsterdam Seaports No. 1 2009
www.amports.nl
S torage & d istribution
Westway Terminals doubles storage capacity Westway Terminals in Amsterdam has long served as a storage facility for vegetable, animal and other harmless products. Over the past three years the company has doubled its storage and quay capacity.
Aerial view of Westway Terminals
Most laymen usually associate tank termi-
companies called Westway Terminals. In
and reconnected at will. Westway plays a
nals with liquid fuels contained in large,
addition to Amsterdam, the company has
crucial role in the supply of raw materials
white storage tanks, and sometimes maybe
28 other terminals worldwide: Seventeen in
as part of their clients’ supply chain, and
with other liquid products. On a smaller
the USA, five in the UK, two in Denmark and
someone is available at the company round
scale, however, liquid raw materials for the
one each in Ireland, Italy, Poland and South
the clock to provide support.
food industry also form an important sector
Korea. Amsterdam is the largest terminal in
at Amsterdam Seaports.
Europe. Commercial management is organ-
Nearly doubled
ised in London and in the hands of mother
Between 2005 and 2008, Westway Terminals
company ED & F Man.
realised an impressive increase of 93 per-
Although Westway Terminals was originally specialised in storing molasses, the compa-
cent in the amount of transferred tonnage.
ny is now also able to store vegetable oils,
Westway is visibly expanding. The British
In 2008, some 1.4 million tons was trans-
fats and other products for the animal and
mother company is aiming to increase its
ported by sea and the number of ships also
food industries. This focus on food products
market share and broaden its storage op-
increased by 86 percent between 2005 and
requires the highest hygiene, safety and
tions so as to accommodate a larger array
2008. Last year some 716 ships moored at
environmental standards. Products are
of liquid products. In Amsterdam this has
the terminal, including 57 seagoing vessels.
usually delivered by sea and distributed by
resulted in a storage capacity of 123,000
road and inland waterways. Buyers in the
m3, a doubling since 2006 via an expansion
In addition to doubling its tank capacity,
food, drink and tobacco industry are mainly
of 14 tanks, varying in size from 1,300 m3 to
Westway Terminals is building four new
situated in the Netherlands and the west of
9,000 m .
tanks and a new control room. Having
Germany.
Clients rent tanks with separate pipe lines
already further improved the method of
3
for the medium or long term, ensuring that
unloading tankers, storage and distribution,
Global network
different products cannot come into con-
the company is also now looking into new
The Amsterdam terminal is part of an
tact with each other. The pipe system and
types of goods and potential clients in vari-
international network of tank storage
pumps can be used flexibly, disconnected
ous countries. www.amports.nl
Amsterdam Seaports No. 1 2009 23
innovation Amsterdam seaports take the lead
Giving a boost to shore power Inland vessels and river cruisers still have significant energy requirements when moored in a harbour. To make the use of noisy and eco-unfriendly diesel generators unnecessary, Amsterdam and Zaanstad are joining forces to supply shore power.
During the course of 2009, Amsterdam and Zaanstad will be connecting inland vessels and river cruisers to an improved network of shore power, a clean and silent alternative for diesel generators. “Shore power is an excellent alternative”, say Amsterdam Seaport’s Wim Vlemmix, Assistant Director and Head of Infrastructure and Environment, and André Buijs, project leader. “Initially we are focussing on inland ships and river cruisers as these vessels can be quite easily connected to the onshore grid by means of an electric-
New shore power units in the centre of Amsterdam.
ity cable. The benefit is that captains and skippers can turn off their diesel genera-
of the Environmental Policy Department
project in Rotterdam. “A national ap-
tors when moored.”
of the Zaanstad municipality. “The current
proach is very important,” Wim Vlemmix
capacity is too small for approximately
emphasises. “We have to prevent captains
Extra capacity
half the ships, which is why we are going
being faced with different electrical
Shore power is not a new phenomenon
to adapt the connections for inland ship-
capacities and sockets at every port. This
in Amsterdam and Zaanstad. Amsterdam
ping to 63 amperes. After this change,
is why Amsterdam Seaports will be ap-
Seaport currently has four circuit boxes,
river cruisers will be able to use two new
plying the same capacity and payment
each with four connections. “Unfortu-
boxes of 400 amperes.”
system as is used in Rotterdam.”
nately these are in a bad condition, supply
All inland vessels and river cruisers that
insufficient power and have an outdated
moor in the Amsterdam Seaports should
Inland vessels will not require any
payment system,” André Buijs explains.
be using shore power by 2011.
substantial onshore changes. Buijs and
“In the first phase, to be concluded before
Vlemmix: “No adaptations are needed for
the end of 2009, we will create 129 moor-
User-friendly system
the current electricity network as inland
ing spaces with shore power for inland
In the near future, captains will be able
vessels only need power for their own use,
vessels and 24 for river cruisers.”
to easily connect their vessels to shore
such as lighting, cooking and heating. This
The power capacity will also be consider-
power. After securing their berth, they can
is different for river cruisers, which are like
ably increased: From 16 amperes and 220
report in via a GSM network and quote
floating hotels with hundreds of guests.
Volts to 63 amperes and 400 Volts. The
their vessel’s unique code. The power sup-
Four new substations will be built to serve
river cruisers will have circuit boxes of 125
ply starts as soon as the captain connects
this sector.”
to 400 amperes and 400 Volts.
the electricity cable to the onshore circuit and only stops when the vessel is signed
In the coming months Amsterdam
Within the parameters of the shore power
out via mobile phone or the connection
Seaports will also be further developing
project Amsterdam is cooperating closely
with the shore power box is interrupted.
the payment system. “We will select a
with Zaanstad, which currently has six
Skippers receive an invoice for the con-
commercial party via a tender procedure,”
circuit boxes with 21 connections. “Our
sumed Kilowatt hours at a later date.
Vlemmix concludes. “Our starting point is
goal is to increase to eight boxes and 25
The Amsterdam and Zaandam ports are
to limit the increase in electricity rates for
connections,” says Janine Elsinga-Trumpie,
closely monitoring a major five-year pilot
our clients.”
24 Amsterdam Seaports No. 1 2009
www.amports.nl
storage & d istribution Oil companies take the lead
Vapour return systems to combat odours and explosions Oil storage companies NuStar, Oiltanking, BP Amsterdam and EuroTank are investing significant sums of money in new vapour return systems. In addition to reducing odour pollution, the systems minimise the risk of explosions.
In the past, large quantities of vapour-air mixtures entered the atmosphere during the loading of tankers. This sometimes made for some very unpleasant smells, while also creating a risk of explosion when transferring petrol or other petroleum products with a low flash point. Small wonder that the Dutch government tightened the regulations in the last decade to ensure that the release of vapourair mixtures during the transfer of liquid petroleum products is strictly limited. NuStar Terminal started using a new type of vapour return system in the autumn of 2008. “This connects the tanks of inland and seagoing vessels that moor here for loading to the vapour compartment of the land-based tanks,” explains Jan Oerlemans,
A vapour return pipeline at NuStar
General Manager at NuStar. “When we are filling the tanks, the nitrogen is trans-
on the tankers: Sometimes the diameter or
return systems at these terminals, which
ported to the ship tanks via the vapour
the number of bolts may vary, for example.
cause a separation between the air and
return pipeline. New nitrogen covers the
Inland tankers have a limited number of
the gases that escape from the ship tanks
products in the land tanks like a blan-
connections for which we have fitting
while loading. One of the results is that the
ket. This minimises the chance of static
flanges. We have, however, encountered
vapour-air mixtures cool down, causing
electricity and, therefore, the associated
problems in seagoing tankers regarding
the vapour to liquefy. The liquid gas can
explosion risks.”
the connections between our vapour
then be pumped back into the storage
return pipeline and their manifolds.”
tanks. Another system is to absorb the
closed system
Manifolds are the connecting parts used to
vapours with so-called activated carbon
Together with the control equipment for
transport gases or fluids between various
and periodically clean the filters, which
cooling the nitrogen, which is part of the
pipeline or canal systems.
also allows the separated vapours to be
system, this provides for a closed system.
pumped out as liquid.
As a result no more vapour-air mixtures
Other systems
are released into the atmosphere during
A wide range of options are available
All in all, the Amsterdam terminals trans-
tanker loading. “This may seem simple but
when it comes to vapour return systems.
ferring liquid loads with low flash points
the actual implementation is quite com-
Oiltanking, BP Amsterdam Terminal and
and specific environmental conditions
plex,” Oerlemans continues. “One issue, for
EuroTank have systems based on vapour
have in recent years found various techni-
instance, is the multitude of different con-
recovery and vapour condensation. Gas
cal solutions for responsibly dealing with
nections of the vapour return equipment
processing units are part of the vapour
these issues. www.amports.nl
Amsterdam Seaports No. 1 2009 25
S torage & d istribution NWB: 45 years of excellent service
Safety and Quality in alcohol storage Although NWB (‘Noord-Europees Wijnopslagbedrijf’) may not be a household name among the general public, producers, traders and buyers from around the world have been coming to this storage facility for consumption alcohol and rum in the port of Amsterdam since 1964. together with various engineers and consultancy companies, constantly monitors storage tanks, the pipeline system and the quay. “We have given Safety, Health, Environment, Quality (SHEQ) a priority since our establishment in 1964,” Laumans adds. Air and water quality Fred Laumans became Commercial Director at the former Pakhoed terminal for the storage and transfer of consumption alcohol, the predecessor of NWB. “Back in 1964 this location had a much better air and water quality than the port of Rotterdam,” Fred continues. “This is important for smelling and tasting alcohol.” Frederik Laumans joined the company after a wide-ranging career: “After studying business management in Groningen, and consecutively a management traineeship at ABN-AMRO, I deliberately chose to head abroad. I worked at Ceteco for 3 years in Miami and Guatemala and then 8 years at chemicals distribution company HCI/Brenntag, including the last four years as Regional Director in Brazil. All the experiences gained have already proven Current Director Frederik Laumans (l) with his father Fred Laumans
very useful here at NWB.” In its early years NWB was mainly in-
Instead of a fancy office building with
Laumans in July 2008. “We have been
volved with the storage of consumption
designer furniture, NWB, specialist in the
working with the same group of produc-
ethanol, brandy(wine), sherry and whisky.
storage of consumption alcohol ethanol
ers, traders and buyers for decades. And
Today, the grounds contain 112 storage
(80 percent) and rum alcohol (20 percent)
with no incidents over the past 45 years,
tanks with a total capacity of 57,000 m3
in the port of Amsterdam, is satisfied
NWB has an excellent service record in
(57 million litres). Most of the ethanol and
with a simple office for its ten permanent
the safety field.”
rum is imported from Brazil, Guatemala,
employees. “And we don’t need expen-
Bolivia, Guyana, Jamaica, Trinidad and
sive marketing campaigns,” says Frederik
Because alcohol is flammable, NWB fol-
South Africa. Ethanol production from
Laumans who succeeded his father Fred
lows stringent safety regulations and,
sugar cane in Brazil is in the hands of
26 Amsterdam Seaports No. 1 2009
www.amports.nl
large corporations such as Copersucar, with traders transporting the alcohol to Amsterdam by sea ship. “To guarantee the best possible quality, we make sure that the pipelines and tanks on the quays are spotless,” Laumans explains. “To prevent any possible contamination, we never store products other than ethanol or rum alcohol. ” Stainless steel flanges in between the storage tanks and pipelines ensure that two different loads cannot come into contact with each other, the whole process under further supervision of independent survey authorities. Each month, three to four sea ships moor
A sea ship moors at the NWB quay
at the NWB quay, which has a depth of around ten metres. Via NWB’s pipeline, vessels pump the ethanol or rum from their onboard tanks to one of the storage tanks. “Through years of experience our outdoor employees have become veritable smell and taste specialists,” says Laumans proudly. “They check the quality of alcohol as an additional service to our customers.” NWB stores the alcohol until the buyers pick up their product, which is done by container or tanker truck in 85 percent of cases and goods train for the remainder. One of the major clients for storing rum at NWB is trading company E&A Scheer in Amsterdam, which was established in 1712. Customs
The Noord-Europees Wijnopslagbedrijf is connected to the freight railway
Another party with which NWB has a great deal of contact is Dutch customs.
Even though NWB is the only storage
Expansion plans
“As consumption alcohol is imported
company for consumption alcohol in
“When I succeeded my father last year
from abroad it is liable for excise duties,”
the port of Amsterdam, Frederik Lau-
my goals were to consolidate the com-
Laumans explains. “NWB arranges clearing
mans intends to increase cooperation
pany and research new activities,” says
and check loading papers and waybills,
with other companies: “A good exam-
Laumans. “There are many opportunities
import duties and all other documents.
ple is storage and transfer companies
for expansion, particularly in the field of
We used to have two permanent customs
for oil products, with whom we share
industrial applications for ethanol. The
employees in our offices, but nowadays
more or less the same activities and
problem is that we can only expand so far
random checks are the order of the day.
risks. I believe it would be very useful to
on our 2.2 hectare premises. There is only
This is due to a change in the way the
exchange knowledge and experience
another 3,000 m2 available.”
customs teams work and, of course, the
in the areas of safety, environment and
way our business is run.”
health.”
www.newob.eu www.amports.nl
Amsterdam Seaports No. 1 2009 27
river cruises Rising demand for berths in Amsterdam
River cruise industry seeks new customer groups Like the sea cruise sector, river cruises in the region of Amsterdam have grown exponentially over the last decade. At the same time river cruise operators are targeting new groups of customers.
While the latest figures show that the number of river cruisers docking in Amsterdam had dropped from 1019 to 998 in 2008, they do not reflect the enormous growth in traffic over the past ten years. The sea and river cruise sectors play an important role in Amsterdam, while IJmuiden serves a daily DFDS ferry service to Newcastle plus various sea cruises. The most recent season saw some 130 sea cruise vessels dock at Amsterdam or IJmuiden, carrying no less than 240,000 passengers and representing a significant increase compared to 2007. The 998 river cruisers had around 230,000 passengers between them announced Peter Swelheim, chairman of Amsterdam Cruise Port (ACP), during the closure of the season onboard the river cruiser Serenade I from Dutch operator Euro Shipping Voyages. Cruise ships are a welcome source of income for Amsterdam, with guests accounting for a joint average spend of 225,000 euros per vessel docked. This figure rises to 500,000 euro if the capital city is the start or end-point of the cruise, which was the case for 56 of the 130 cruise ships during the 2008 season. With river cruise passengers spending an average of 40,000 euro, Amsterdam earns some 80 million euro per year from cruises. Berths During the closing ceremony on Serenade I, Aart Hiemstra, Dept. Harbourmaster of the Amsterdam Port Authority, spoke of the need at the very least to ensure that 28 Amsterdam Seaports No. 1 2009
The river cruiser Serenade I, moored at the Passenger Terminal Amsterdam (PTA)
www.amports.nl
River cruisers waiting to depart from near Amsterdam’s Central Station
the number of available berths in the
the industry. Meanwhile, the latest genera-
which is not surprising considering the
capital city remained stable. Anything
tion of ships often have the same level of
3500-kilometre sailing area between Am-
less would mark the end of the growth
luxury and comfort as three or four star
sterdam and the Black Sea via the Rhine,
potential, especially as the length of ves-
hotels. A side-effect is that the cruiser
Main and Danube rivers.
sels for mooring in the centre is limited
sailing season is increasing from 210 to
to 135 metres.The sharp increase in river
240 days a year as these luxury ships are
“But interest in river cruising in Holland is
cruisers also puts pressure on berth space
increasingly deployed as extra hotel space
only showing very modest growth,” adds
elsewhere. “We regularly have to book
during exhibitions and other large events
De Jong. “We are still wrestling with the
berths at popular destinations a year in
in the winter.
‘rollator’ image of river cruise passengers
advance,” admitted Jan Willem de Jong,
and need to tackle this issue head on.
Hotel Operations Manager of EuroShip-
New customer groups
Internationally there is a large group of
ping Voyages and host onboard Serenade
The economic climate is another obvious
wealthy and highly active senior citizens
I. “And many tour operators have yet to
threat to the river cruise sector, although
who seem less affected by the current
even plan their travel itinerary so far in
De Jong remains optimistic. “Doing
economic malaise. It also seems that fans
advance.”
business with tour operators on various
of sea cruises are going on more river
continents means that the risks are spread.
cruises, which has caused a growth in
Another threat according to De Jong
There is a good chance, for example, that
combined sea and river cruising trips.”
is climate change. Issues such as heavy
a growing number of Chinese, Japanese,
rainfall or prolonged drought will mean
Australians and South Americans will be
De Jong also says that non-Dutch pas-
river cruisers being faced with high-water
looking to enjoy a river cruise. My ship-
sengers in particular are becoming
and low-water restrictions all over Europe.
ping company EuroShipping Voyages still
increasingly fussy when it comes to
As a result tour operators have to change
has faith in the growth potential of river
booking river cruises. “People are very
their travel schedules at the last minute.
cruising, which is why we recently pur-
careful when it comes to choosing both
This is often the case when the permitted
chased two ships from other companies,
their accommodation and the travel pro-
depth is less than 1.50 metres or the verti-
Serenity and My Story.”
grammes offered by tour operators. This
cal clearance is less than seven metres,
means that companies and ports offering
for instance. The fact that the number
De Jong, who was closely involved with
premium quality will benefit most from a
of skilled nautical and civilian personnel
Amsterdam Cruise Port until 2006, also
growing market.”
onboard is lagging behind the growing
sees the major benefits of the internation-
number of river cruisers is also affecting
al river cruise sector. Interest is increasing,
www.amsterdamcruise.nl
www.amports.nl
Amsterdam Seaports No. 1 2009 29
storage & d istribution Inventive fire prevention at Sitos
Keeping cocoa under control with carbon dioxide Amsterdam Seaports transfers large amounts of cocoa, including for Sitos Commodities & Logistics. Cocoa is highly flammable and very hard to extinguish, however. To minimise the risk to employees and the local surroundings, Sitos has fitted two storage sheds in the Amsterdam Western port area with an innovative extinguishing system that uses CO2. This smart system also has major potential for other port activities.
Cocoa products can be a fire hazard. A blaze at ADM Cocoa in Wormer, north of Amsterdam, completely burnt down a storage facility for cocoa powder in December 2003. Cocoa fires are extremely difficult to extinguish with water and it is basically a case of waiting for the fire to put itself out. Sitos Commodities and Logistics BV built two new storage sheds of 40,000 m3 each for cocoa products in Amsterdam’s Western port area in 2007. To minimise the risk of a cocoa fire, the company installed what the Dutch call a 3B safety system (the three B’s standing for company premises, fire management and construction sys-
The Sitos premises in Amsterdam’s Western port area.
tem). “Thankfully we have not yet had to use the new system,” says Martin Versteeg,
it does not cause damage to the storage
method that is already commonly used in
Director of Sitos Commodities & Logistics.
space and stored products that occurs
shipping and the IT industry. Amsterdam
when water is used. The carbon dioxide
Seaports and the local environmental and
No damage
is only released in case of fire, and in
building works authorities gave us the
The fire management system consists of a
addition to preventing heat and smoke
green light. We will soon perform tests to
combined approach. A double detection
production the system stops a blaze that
see if the system is also effective for the
system detects the slightest smoke pro-
would release far more CO2 into the at-
bulk storage of cocoa.”
duction in the storage sheds that are both
mosphere. The cold CO2 gas also cools the
air-tight and pressure resistant. An alarm
supplies at risk from fire.
Sitos Commodities developed the new
goes off and the personnel leave the stor-
solution in cooperation with supplier
age facility. Two minutes later a sprinkler
Shipping technology
Ansul from the USA and it was recently
system fills the area with 50,000 kilos of
“Initially the local authorities rejected our
certified by the Amsterdam Fire Depart-
CO2 with a pressure of 24 bar. At the same
new plans for cocoa storage,” says Dick
ment. According to the parties involved,
time the system creates a vacuum in the
de Bruin, Director of Sitos Commodities,
the solution is also suitable for other ports
facility, causing the fire to go out due to a
about the development of the new sys-
on the North Sea Canal.
lack of oxygen.
tem. “After deliberating with the architects
The main benefit of carbon dioxide is that
and builders, we came up with a CO2
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