The largest dedicated shortsea shipping hub in Europe, Rotterdam Shortsea Terminals offers container handling and storage, as well as additional services, to solve demanding logistical challenges. CEO Arno Storm discussed the company’s improved sustainability measures and future investments. Report by Antonia Cole.
Established in 1977, Rotterdam
Shortsea Terminals (RST) operates on 64 hectares of terrain with 2,850 metres of quayside, suitable for ships with draughts up to 13.65 metres. It employs 310 highly trained people, who utilise their skills and experience to provide efficient and safe services.
Located in the heart of Rotterdam, the terminal is positioned to offer ideal accessibility through roads, waterways and railways, all connecting to the site. This makes operations more streamlined and convenient for all parties involved.
The terminal handles an average of 50 shortsea vessels per week, equating to 2,500 vessel calls annually. Through the terminal’s size, advanced equipment and
expertise in container handling, RST is able to effectively serve as a hub for many shipping lines.
“At RST, we are committed to excellence,” said CEO Arno Storm. “There are very high standards instilled within the company. We aim to anticipate the evolving needs of clients and exceed requirements efficiently and effectively. Through our dedication to continuous improvement, we are adapting the company to promote improved sustainability measures.”
People, planet, prosperity
Sustainability is a focus for RST, with it improving environmental targets to have reduced carbon emissions by 95%, for scope one and two, by 2025. In 2022,
RST minimised emissions by 26% and then, a further 20% in 2023. The company is already making significant progress towards its goals and is trying to maximise the positive impact of the terminal.
Approximately half of the company’s electricity usage is currently powered through green energy. There is a plan set in place to increase RST’s reliance on green energy to 100% by 2025. This will help to set a new standard of sustainability within the industry.
RST has also purchased six new hybrid straddle carriers for its fleet. These carriers will move RST forward towards achieving
environmental targets as they have improved efficiency and use 50% less diesel than a standard carrier. When fully electric carriers become available, RST hopes to invest in these too.
These carriers will be run on HVO 100 diesel, a fossil-free fuel made from 100% renewable sources. This diesel is a more environmentally friendly option, with up to 90% carbon reduction. By utilising more sustainable fuel sources, the company is minimising the emission of greenhouse gases.
“It is vital to our, and our community’s, future that we actively pursue an operation that
benefits people and the planet,” explained Mr Storm. “We aspire to transform RST into a truly sustainable container terminal and are working with others across the industry to achieve this.”
In collaboration with the Port of Rotterdam and Samskip, RST has launched its Green Shore Power Initiative. As the first sea-terminal in the Netherlands with shore power connection, RST is working to be a leader in the transition to sustainable energy sources. This project will greatly reduce harmful emissions and promote environmentally conscious operations.
As well as this investment into shore power, RST has installed 700 solar panels on buildings. This has allowed two of the company’s buildings to become carbon neutral and has greatly limited the overall environmental impact of operations.
Investing in innovation
RST has also been investing into the efficiency and quality of operations. The company has refurbished one of its older cranes, which will allow for a more reliable and structured service that better accommodates clients. RST is also in the process of acquiring a new gantry crane, as well as two ship-to-shore cranes.
“Previously, shortsea markets used smaller vessels, of up to 850TEU,” said Mr Storm. “Now, customer shipping lines are sizing up vessels to a 2,000TEU maximum. Due to the change in market circumstances, we have to adapt and expand the capacity of our operation to meet client requirements. We are further investing into ship-to-shore operations so that we can maintain our successful position within the market.”
In the next three years, RST is planning to invest between €35 and €40 million into the expansion and improvement of operations. This will not only make the facility more sustainable through improved efficiency, but it will advance RST’s ability to serve clients’ evolving needs.
The company has recently been collaborating with two software partners in the development of an automated storage planning software. Through the use of AI technology, the system will digitalise the vessel planning process at RST, making operations more efficient, reliable and effective.
As well as this, RST has collaborated with several parties in the development of a hydrogen-fuelled ReachStacker. Hyster, a manufacturing company, and the Port of Rotterdam have worked
with RST to create a pilot version of the ReachStacker, which will limit greenhouse gas emissions in operations.
Reinforcing relationships
In addition to equipment, RST has also been investing in staff. The company’s already skilled and experienced staff have been given training to further maximise the effectiveness of RST’s operation.
“Staff are the heart of RST,” explained Mr Storm. “It is important that we support them and work together to create the best outcomes. We have been working with our staff to limit waste in operations and enhance productivity.”
RST also works with partners to enable more efficient operations. To make the interchanging of containers from the rail terminal to RST more streamlined, the
company has been collaborating with Samskip to define 14 work streams that will minimise transit times.
“Our partners and suppliers are very important,” said Mr Storm. “We are all working together to deliver the best possible service to the client. Companies like Seamark, which provides reef monitoring services, allow us to attain the high standards that have made us so successful. At RST, we believe in collaboration and cooperation. By building up these relationships, we can achieve more.”
As RST continues to develop, it plans to work with partners across the industry
to improve the quality and capabilities of services. The company aims to consistently meet and exceed client expectations through innovation and technological developments, as well as by limiting environmental impacts and implementing more sustainable practices.
“We know what society is asking from us as a company,” concluded Mr Storm. “RST is demonstrating that it is serious about sustainability and is dedicated to becoming more environmentally friendly. It is important to us to be a responsible player within Rotterdam and that we work to make a positive impact on the environment.”
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