6 minute read
A New House For Dry Bulk
Figure 1. Aerial image of the new warehouse for EBS. Image courtesy of Paul Martens Fotografi e.
Jan de Wit, Managing Director, European Bulk Services B.V., the Netherlands, details the recent construction of a new covered storage facility in Rotterdam and its journey to operation.
European Bulk Services (EBS) B.V., a 100% subsidiary of HES International B.V., has taken its new covered storage facility into operation. With this new multipurpose facility, the existing storage capacity of 650 000 m3 has increased to 700 000 m3, supporting EBS’ position as a leading provider of covered storage for dry bulk products in the Port of Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
The Port of Rotterdam is Europe’s largest sea port, and it owes its leading position to its high accessibility for sea-going vessels. In addition, the Port of Rotterdam creates direct and indirect employment for some 385 000 people in businesses throughout the Netherlands.
The responsibility of logistics
EBS is a logistics partner for customers in the food and feed industry, the construction and manufacturing industries, and the energy sector. The company is an important link in the supply of essential raw materials for products that everyone uses
Figure 2. Construction of a conveyer belt.
Figure 3. Construction of the store's roof.
Figure 4. Carrying out the fi rst concrete pour.
Figure 5. The completed shed for storage of dry bulk products in the Port of Rotterdam. in their daily lives. For everything from the bread, pasta, and couscous you eat to the beer you drink, chances are that the raw materials needed for these products were transported by EBS, and the same also goes for concrete and plaster used in the construction industry.
Storage
Storage demand for agribulk has risen in recent years. In the beginning of the 1970s, the Port of Rotterdam was a transhipment port – grain was imported from all over the world and was transhipped into smaller vessels for onward transportation to the end users in Europe. As a result, storage demand was relatively limited. In the early 1990s, more storage was required as grain was exported in large volumes. Over time this export storage has slowly turned into storage for import. These storage sheds at the destination are used as strategic storage locations to supply directly to end users via just-in-time deliveries.
Located strategically
EBS is a multipurpose dry bulk terminal operator and operates two strategically located terminals in the Port of Rotterdam area: Botlek and Europoort. The terminals have benefi cial access to deepwater seaways and to the hinterland by means of inland waterways, rail links, and motorways.
Both terminals are equipped with the latest technology in the area of loading, unloading, and storage facilities. EBS not only has onshore mechanical equipment at its disposal, but also self-supporting floating cranes and weighing towers, in addition to land and berth capacity available for further expansion.
To grow the company's available services in agricultural products, minerals, building materials, and biomass, highquality covered storage is required. Due to the high demand for closed storage, EBS has invested in expanding its covered storage capacity to meet customers’ requirements.
The new facility is situated at the EBS Europoort location and has a capacity of 50 000 m3. It is suitable for the storage of agricultural products and consists of seven separate sections. The design is carried out with a strong focus on flexibility for customers and stringent safety and environmental standards. Products can be loaded onto barge, rail, and truck to continue their route to their fi nal destination.
Construction
EBS contracted three main contractors (civil, mechanical, and electrical) and multiple subcontractors to build this high-tech warehouse.
The main civil construction was executed by Züblin Nederland, part of the European Strabag construction group.
The mechanical installations were supplied by the company N.M. Heilig BV from Heerhugowaard, the Netherlands. Heilig is a well-known supplier in design, development, and delivery of bulk handling material for both single units and complete turnkey installations. The company was tasked to create a conveyor belt system that includes a load and unloading system.
The electrical components and instrumentation have been delivered by TES Industrial Systems Oosterhout. TES develops and produces sustainable solutions for industrial drive systems and industrial automation. The company uses its concepts and solutions around the world in container cranes, industrial cranes, conveyor belt systems, maritime installations, amusement parks, and other industrial applications. For this project, TES developed, among other things, a system which loads the warehouse automatically.
Design
Following the contract assignments, the engineering commenced in the winter of 2020. The design was executed by the contractors based on the optimal function of transhipment and transport. The civil, mechanical, and electrical designs were perfectly connected together through many multidisciplinary engineering sessions.
Challenging project
Realisation of this challenging project started in spring 2020 with the demolition of the old superstructure, prior to the floor being poured and approximately 20 m high walls being built. The sheer quantity of concrete mixer trucks and other traffi c through the gate was a logistical challenge and was managed by intensive construction meetings between EBS and the contractors.
Before the last walls were poured, N.M. Heilig and TES began to build the transport installation simultaneously, whereby the operational process of EBS experienced minimal inconvenience.
Despite all technical and timeline challenges, and in respect to all COVID-19 regulations, all contractors collaborated admirably within agreed budgets and timelines. As a result, this made it possible for the warehouse to be fully constructed within 10 months, thus the warehouse has been operational since February 2021.
N.M. Heilig Project Lead Frank Laan stated: “Our co-operation with the secondary contractors and client went smoothly and we are happy with the fi nal result. We wish EBS every success with their new warehouse.”
Marching onwards
EBS’s covered storage capacity now totals a remarkable 700 000 m3 and is on track in executing a multi-year masterplan to extend the covered storage capacity with 350 000 m3 – of which 236 000 m3 has now been realised. The company's masterplan is outlined below: 2017: 60 000 m3 Botlek terminal. 2019: 126 000 m3 Botlek terminal. 2020: 50 000 m3 Europoort terminal. 2021: 66 000 m3 Botlek (permit received). 2022: 50 000 m3 Europoort terminal (planned).
A permit for yet another new warehouse at the EBS Botlek location has already been obtained and a tender process for construction companies is underway. The expansions are in line with the strategy to move away from coal and focus on closed storage facilities.
Whilst there is demand for agribulk storage, EBS plans to develop its services and meet its customers requirements.
