Rocktree Logistics, a dry bulk commodities transshipment specialist, makes it a mission to address clients’ problems head on and find a solution no matter the obstacles.The result has been business expansion for Rocktree, driven by client demand.
In an economy where quality service is often the only differentiator, Rocktree Logistics Pte Ltd (Rocktree) is committed to delivering solutions to its clients that go beyond that extra mile. Its speciality is customizing solutions for clients based on case-by-case incidences. No task is too big or too small to handle.
With its ‘can do’ attitude, Rocktree Logistics Pte Ltd, a new rising player in the industry, is making waves in the Asia Pacific region. Supported by its two offshore floating terminals (OFT) Mara and Zeus, the company provides transshipment, storage, blending and sampling solutions to leading dry bulk commodity producers, end users and international trading companies.
Whilst only in operation since August 2009, Rocktree has quickly become the one transshipment service provider that the majority of its clients turn to as their sole solution for transshipment and offshore storage and blending. The main reason Rocktree has become the supplier of choice, according to founder and CEO Daniele Pratolongo, is its no-nonsense attitude in the way it does business. “Clients don’t like to hear it can’t be done, and they don’t much care how it’s done, they just want it done,” explains Pratolongo. “And we understand that, because it’s how we operate. So we take the problem, and we look at it from all angles until we find a solution.” As Pratolongo explains, that solution may not be a part of the company’s current arsenal, but in solving the problem for a loyal client, it makes it so.
“We continually seek out new opportunities, identify inefficiencies in the existing supply chain and innovate solutions to meet the demands of clients serving today’s rapidly growing global markets,” adds Pratolongo. The company’s end goal is to get its clients’ dry bulk cargo moving on schedule, at minimum cost and time. Its services and solutions are all geared to this simple goal.
 
HIGH-SPEED LOADING TO SAVE TIME AND COSTS
Rocktree understands that getting its vessels loaded and unloaded on schedule means its clients spend less time at sea or in port and reduce demurrage claims significantly. Rocktree’s fleet was designed to handle today’s higher load volumes. Its Zeus vessel handles over 40,000 metric tonnes per day. Mara matches onshore terminal speeds at over 60,000 metric tonnes per day and can handle up to four barges simultaneously and fully load a Panamax vessel in 36 hours. Rocktree’s OFTs are built to be a convenient, moveable offshore terminal for its clients.
 
HIGH-CAPACITY FLOATING STORAGE TO SOLVE COMPLEX BARGE LOGISTICS
Rocktree established its OFTs off the shores of Indonesia to service primarily the Indonesian mining industry. Having Mara and Zeus stationed offshore as an integral part of the supply chain solves the common problem faced by barge companies: long barging distances, excess barge fleet and late arrivals. With a combined floating storage capacity of 60,000 metric tonnes, one of the largest in the region, Rocktree clients can make multiple barge trips, offloading their barges into Rocktree’s OFTs for their return journey, thereby reducing the need for a large barge fleet and maximizing cargo readiness for loading onto the ocean-going vessel when it arrives.
 
ADDED VALUE OFFSHORE SERVICES FOR CLIENTS’ CONVENIENCE
When Rocktree started noticing that clients were blending different qualities of cargo in a non-homogeneous way, resulting in cargo quality issues, the company proactively devised a solution by installing a special blending conveyor system that allows for adjustment of blend ratios to give clients the flexibility to blend any coal mix to exact, specified qualities. Rocktree identified another shortfall in the supply chain while listening to clients’
concerns. When the message of the need to establish the quality of cargo at the loading point kept cropping up, Rocktree decided to install automatic sampler systems on its OFTs. These take a sample of the cargo as it is being transferred for loading onto the ocean-going vessel. For many of Rocktree’s clients, this add-on service reduces instances of disputes on cargo quality at destination.
Rocktree’s concern is also to reduce impact on the environment and, to this end, it ensures that both OFTs are equipped with world-class systems aimed at minimizing coal and dust pollution, reducing cargo loss and preventing cargo spillage.
 
ALL BACKED BY EFFICIENT LOGISTICS MANAGEMENT
For some of its client’s, cherry-picking from the above services suffices, whereas for others, handing the whole supply chain operation over to Rocktree makes greater economic sense. Rocktree takes control of the entire operation, scheduling deliveries to maximise barging capacity and reduce waiting times and subsequent demurrage claims for its clients.
 
EXPERIENCED PERSONNEL IS ROCKTREE’S GREATEST ASSET
Having state-of-the-art equipment and technology as well as innovative ideas mean nothing without the knowledgeable and experienced staff to drive the solutions. Some companies are built around the equipment they possess. Rocktree is built around a core group of experienced personnel with years of industry experience. Though Rocktree is a ‘young’ company, its experienced staff and the company’s ‘can do’ mind-set makes it a real threat to its competitors.