Amsterdam Seaports ENG edition 1

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

www.sitosgroup.com www.amports.nl

Amsterdam Seaports No. 1 2009 31