The Port of Rotterdam has announced that it is supporting a joint-venture initiative between TMA Logistics, Container Terminal Utrecht (CTU) and VCL to establish a shipping corridor connecting it with Utrecht and Amsterdam.
The North West Central Corridor, according to a statement, will consolidate cargo flows for a more reliable barge product, as well as boosting the efficiency of transportation and container handling.
Inland shipping is required for the transportation of containers along the Amsterdam-Utrecht-Rotterdam route, with 250,000 TEU moved annually via this channel.
Rob Zuidwijk, Rotterdam School of Management, discusses collaboration between smart ports in a recent Port Technology technical paper
The new partnership is expected to help vessel operators consolidate up to 200 containers at various terminals, from Amsterdam to Rotterdam, for one deep sea container terminal in Rotterdam.
The programme will begin with seven inland vessels making 17 departures a week, facilitating the more time-efficient and cost-effective transport of approximately 5,000 containers.
Etienne Morrien, Director of CTU, commented on the initiative: “Collaboration in corridors is absolutely vital. As hinterland we need to adapt to the growth in cargo, using innovative solutions to keep inland shipping competitive and reliable.”
Rens Rohde, CFO of TMA Holding, added: “Bundling means lower demurrage and detention costs for our clients. It also means fewer containers transported by road.”
Vincent Campfens, Port of Rotterdam, discusses digital ports in a recent Port Technology technical paper
In addition to the Port of Rotterdam Authority, the project is being backed by several deep sea container terminals in Rotterdam, the Port of Amsterdam and Lean & Green Europe, a sustainable logistics programme.
Rob Smit, Hinterland Manager at the Port of Amsterdam, said: “We wholeheartedly support these kinds of projects in which the sector’s interests come first.
“Good handling of inland container shipping is vital to the development of the Netherlands as Europe’s most efficient and reliable logistics hub.”
Emile Hoogsteden, Director of Containers, Breakbulk & Logistics at the Port of Rotterdam Authority, also offered a comment: “The West-Brabant Corridor already started last year and works in a similar way, connecting the ports of Tilburg, Oosterhout and Moerdijk with Rotterdam. We have already gained excellent experience with this.”
Discussion about this post