The port is also examining how best to proceed with plans
to create new maritime clusters outside the IJmuiden locks.
“We already have the lightering facility there,” said
Brenninkmeijer. “We are looking to improve our position and
the lightering facility shall be part of this. There are offshore, gas
and oil opportunities. But we’re in negotiations with
stakeholders about moving this forward.”
The port has, however, created with partners in the region
the Amsterdam IJmuiden Offshore Port (AYOP), a network
linking oil, gas, offshore wind, port and maritime industries to
local government bodies with a remit to promote regional
offshore industries. “The Amsterdam–IJmuiden port area is
perfectly located for serving offshore wind projects,” said
Brenninkmeijer. “We are linked to the primary West European
shipping routes and Amsterdam Schiphol Airport is only 15
minutes away enabling fast air transport of cargo, emergency
supplies, executives and personnel. New offshore wind projects
in the vicinity of Amsterdam are foreseen in the coming years.”
Last year terminals in the Amsterdam North Sea region
handled a total of 96.5 m tonnes of cargo. The port of
Amsterdam alone handled 78.4mt (million tonnes), down
marginally from 79.8mt in 2014. “We had higher revenue in
2015 at €147.4m, but volumes were down and that was mostly
due to a fall in dry bulk cargoes,” said Brenninkmeijer.
Coal volumes fell 10.7% year-on-year to 17.4mt in 2015,
agribulk was down 5.4% to 7.4mt and fertilizer fell 8.8% to
1.9mt.
“For coal we saw slower demand from Germany which is in
an energy policy transition and it was also a relatively warm
winter,” said Eggens. “There were fewer imports of coal across
the Northern Range ports.”
“We are an energy port and we want to stay one,” explained
Brenninkmeijer. “Coal prices were down and this forced
terminals to deliver more often on just-in-time terms. For the
coming years we expect that coal volumes will stabilize because
Germany will close lignite mines and decommission its nuclear
power plants in the years through to 2022. So we see 2019 to
2020 as stable for coal volumes. Our focus is to keep our coal
volumes and strengthen the position of our coal terminals when
the new lock and lightering capacity comes on stream.”
“Last year, demand for scrap increased,” said Eggens. “The
increase is due to the growing position of Amsterdam as an
export port for scrap and secondly, the opening of a third
terminal. These are the most important reasons for the increase
of 200,000 tonnes in 2015.”
Elsewhere at the port, Cargill moved forward plans to expand capacity at its IGMA terminal last year, opening a 37,000m2 warehouse last autumn. “They now have extra capacity for soya and corn,” said Brenninkmeijer. “The agribusiness is a mature market, but this strengthens the port’s position and we expect volumes to stabilize this year.”
VCK Group also expanded its operations at Amsterdam this year. Back in 1998 the operator opened the world’s first all- weather terminal enabling transshipment operations in all conditions under cover. VCK has now commenced building its fourth all-weather terminal for handling forest products, metals and paper. “It is expected to start operations at the end of this year or at the start of next year,” she said. “They have 225 metres of quay and the investment cost is in excess of €10 million. The overhead crane will have a capacity of up to 50 tonnes”
Recently the Port of Amsterdam welcomed the Solitaire of Allseas at USA terminal in Amsterdam. The newly established joint venture Dutch Offshore Base (Ter Haak Group and Zwagerman Offshore) organized the replacement of a 350- tonne-capacity crane with an 850-tonne deck crane with the heavy lift crane barge Conquest MB1.
The opening last year of Israel Chemicals Ltd. (ICL) new European Shared Service Centre office in Amsterdam has also boosted the port’s position for fertilizer and chemical business. ICL has a long-standing relationship with the city and has been operating a fertilizer plant in the Amsterdam port area since the 1980s. The new ICL Shared Service Centre office will provide a range of corporate support for its minerals, food and agriculture business services, including finance, procurement and human resources. “ICL opening its Shared Service Centre office has added volume but also emphasizes the attractiveness of Amsterdam port and city as a European business hub,” said Eggens. “This is our strategy for the port.We want to be more than a transit port, we want to work with the market to create added value for the region.
“If you compare Amsterdam to other ports we have a highly educated labour force, top class local finance and excellent legal services support so it makes sense for companies such as ICL to set up here while also putting cargo through the port.”
In conclusion, the port of Amsterdam is looking to the future with optimism. The opening of the new lock system will dramatically increase the port’s annual capacity, and the lack of dependence on tides means that the port will be open 24 hours a day. Continued development and improvement at the port will keep it busy and relevant for many decades to come.
Beco partners with C. Klein International for attachments
Beco sells and manufactures C. Klein International attachments for excavators and wheel loaders from 10t and more; these products are used to handle a range of commodities, including coal. C. Klein International BV (CK) and BV Beco have partnered with regard to engineering, manufacturing and sales of CK attachments for construction and mining machines with an operating weight of ten tonnes and more. Through this collaboration, Beco has acquired the exclusive rights to manufacture and to sell the corresponding CK attachments worldwide.
Kees Klein’s original company, C. Klein Graafwerktuigen BV in Rotterdam, developed in-house, manufactured and sold the well- known CK attachments until November 2015.
C. Klein Graafwerktuigen BV, the specialist in buckets, bonus buckets and other attachments for ‘big’ wheel loaders and rock buckets for ‘large’ excavators, has a long history and has built a big reputation in the world of handling of bulk materials, including coal.
The CK attachments find their distinction in design, materials and the way they are manufactured. Characteristic of the CK attachments are the high degree of filling, low fuel consumption while filling, maximum reliability, durability and safety. In 2014, the ‘New Generation’ CK attachments were launched where the aforementioned characteristics are better reflected.
The collaboration combines the strengths in the areas of engineering, production and sales. Kees Klein and Leon Klein focus in this co-operation on the engineering while Beco takes the sales and manufacturing on its behalf. Kees as well as Leon Klein have very much experience in the segment of buckets and bonus buckets for the ‘big’ wheel loaders and rock buckets for ‘large’ excavators. In addition, Beco has a modern production facility with large capacity and high flexibility.
“With this co-operation, I have met my desire to develop high quality and distinctive attachments and to continue the brand CK. The company Beco fits in terms of mentality and quality awareness very well with us. Through this partnership we can also continue to supply the CK attachments to existing
relationships in the future,” said Kees Klein.
“For us, the segment of handling bulk goods is an important sector. We supply besides attachments for excavators and wheel loaders also hydraulic and mechanical grabs. Through this partnership we are able to create synergy benefits and added value for our customers,” said Henk van Vuren (CEO of Beco).
For repair and overhaul of the relevant CK attachments the customer can contact Beco. Beco has also the necessary technical (material) specifications and drawings. By partnering with Kees Klein the customer is assured that the revision is carried out in accordance with the original design and material specifications and so the relevant bucket retains its original properties.
Increasing draught will significantly improve Zeeland’s coal throughput
Zeeland Seaports is banking on a major dredging project to boost its coal volumes, writes Michael King.
Zeeland Seaports expects the dredging of the River Scheldt to help its stevedores attract more coal cargoes following the closure of a power station at the port last year.
Zeeland Seaports, which encompasses the ports of Vlissingen and Terneuzen and offers access to the North Sea via the Western Scheldt, currently boasts a maximum draught of 16.5 at Vlissingen and 12.5 metres at Terneuzen. But boosting the maximum draught to 17 metres is expected to make the port’s coal handlers more competitive when it comes to attracting all- important Capesize vessels.
leaving a sizeable hole in the port’s coal volumes which fell to 4mt (million tonnes) last year. The station generated some 1mt+ of coal imports each year, primarily handled by Ovet which has terminals in both Terneuzen and Vlissingen as well as an active fleet of floating cranes operating throughout the Western Scheldt.
“For coal throughput this year, Ovet is now looking for new niches they can serve so they can keep volumes up,” said Faes. “One of the most important competitive factors is draught.
We’ve been working with the Dutch/Belgian government for some time to increase the draught of the Western Scheldt from 16.5 metres to 17 metres. This means dredging as well as introducing dynamic keel-clearance.
“It took a lot of time to convince Dutch/Flemish Scheldt Commission (VNSC), a co-operation body run jointly by Belgium and the Netherlands, that we need this, but the decision has been made to proceed, and we hope it will be executed this year.
Francesco Faes, Commercial Manager, told DCI that EPZ’s power plant at the port closed down in the last quarter of 2015 .
We are continuously working together with the Dutch/Belgian Governments in different ways to improve nautical access to Vlissingen Port. Now we’re permitting and once it’s permitted we will start to do the dredging and support work.
“The dredging will help a lot of companies, but it will also help Ovet attract new coal business.”
Last year terminals at Zeeland Ports handled 33mt of cargo in total. The loss of coal throughput was the main reason the port recorded a drop in dry bulk traffic — from 10.7mt in 2014 to 10.3mt in 2015.
Coal imports shipped via Zeeland are mostly onward shipped by barge and rail to power plants in Germany or, in the case of met coal imports, consumed by local steel manufacturers.
The port’s other major dry bulk commodity is fertilizers and this commodity has a very different pattern of distribution. Last year Zeeland handled some 4mt of fertilizer. Much of the cargo is handled by Verbrugge Terminals which has a facility in Terneuzen from where the cargo is distributed around the Netherlands and to the rest of Europe.
“The big driver of the fertilizer
market is the previous year’s harvest
and the prices of agricultural products,” said Faes. “If farmers are having a good year, they will buy fertilizer for the next year. But if they have a poor year, because prices are bad, they hesitate. Weather also influences this but it’s the farmer that decides.”
Unlike coal imports which could be impacted in the long-run by falling demand from Germany as the country weans itself off coal-fired power, the long-term outlook for fertilizer demand is more buoyant. “In the long run we believe fertilizer will be in increasing demand as the world population increases and more and more people are eating meat which needs need more fertilizer compared to grains,” explained Faes.
He expects fertilizer at the port to stabilize this year after a 5% increase was recorded in 2015 compared with 2014. The port’s fertilizer business was given a major boost last year when Vlaeynatie opened a new terminal, primarily to handle incoming volumes for Plantacote, a subsidiary of SQM Vitas which has built a production facilities on Axelse Vlakte in the port area of Terneuzen and plans to distribute its products worldwide.
“We now have more competition for fertilizer cargoes which is always good,” said Faes.“We also of course have Yara Sluiskil’s huge plant on the Ghent–Terneuzen canal and Rosier operates another production plant.
“Yara runs three ammonia plants, four CO2 plants, two nitric acid plants, two urea plants and two nitrate granulation plants. They move fertilizer either direct at their own berths, or by using stevedoring companies in the port. They produce here and from here send to many destinations in Europe and further afield.”
Another new arrival at the port is Bulk Terminal Zeeland which offers customized solutions for bulk processing and storage from its terminal in Vlissingen including specialized distribution and transshipment options. The five- hectare terminal offers draught of 11.5 metres and a 225-metre quay. “They are looking for minor bulk commodities and currently handle some grains, some metals and ores, alloys and metal residues etc.,” said Faes.“They are a good addition.
“Also the bulk division of Pacorini Metals in Vlissingen, which handles a.o. ferroalloys, is expanding.
“So all in all, it’s an exciting time for Zeeland Seaports.”
Damen commences building two transshipment crane barges
VESSELS BUILT FOR STOCK IN ANTICIPATION OF CONTINUED COMMODITIES GROWTH
Damen Yichang Shipyards has commenced construction of two identical Crane Barge 6324 vessels. Designed as a particularly cost-effective transshipment platform, the barges are being built on a speculative basis in response to client demands to ensure short delivery times.
Damen’s Crane Barge 6324 is a low- cost transshipment barge designed for ship-to-ship, ship-to-barge or ship-to-quay operations. The design is also suitable for flexible harbour services being able to transship dry bulk, containers and breakbulk. The 63-metre-long vessel boasts 750m2 of deck space, with additional below-deck lashing stores.
“These Crane Barges are perfectly suited for shifting coal, iron and agribulk materials — all of which are internationally important commodities.” comments Design Engineer Hugo Hoekstra. “Bigger bulk vessels and port developments require different infrastructure which is expensive and time-consuming.These transshipment barges relocate the loading and lightering to a location with sufficient depth. For operators, such as port authorities and harbour logistics companies, working in this very competitive market, these vessels will serve as a ‘no-frills’ option — they are as functional as they need to be.”
“We have great confidence in this product and in this market — that’s why we are building these two vessels for stock. A potential buyer will be able to take advantage of a very fast delivery time.”
To ensure an optimally efficient design, Damen’s in-house Product specialists have collaborated with numerous other departments within the company. For example, the jib rest has been optimized to provide greater safety during transshipment and, alternatively, for servicing sheaves of the crane.
Both Crane Barges will be installed with a Liebherr CBG 350 crane — providing efficient loading capabilities with grab operations of 35 tonnes at 36 metres and hook operations at 45 tonnes at 36 metres. The double drum mooring winches are positioned in such a way to enhance safety during mooring operation and minimize the potential for hazards. Damen’s roots in the production of workboats comes out in the detail, fulfilling the company’s goal of delivering high quality, reliable and easy to operate and maintain vessels.
“For this product we cooperate with partners like PON for generator sets,Van der Leun for electrical, DMT for the winches and Liebherr for the crane. This relatively new product complements our portfolio,“ Hoekstra continues.“Damen is able to provide complete packages of products to serve the specific needs of our clients. A one-stop-shop for your new built vessels, spares, services or maintenance and repair jobs. Damen serves the bulk industry as they serve any industry. You don’t only buy a vessel, but become part of the family. To start you off with your transshipment operations, we’ve included crane driver- training to optimize your throughput.”
Dunlop launches range of industrial rubber sheeting
Industrial rubber sheeting may not sound particularly exciting but in actual fact it is widely used across the Netherlands in the agricultural industry as well as a many other industries for a wide variety of purposes including chute lining, conveyor skirting, screening and wear and corrosion protection. For some years now, the market for rubber sheeting in Europe has been dominated by Asian imported product, especially from China. But if Netherlands-based Dunlop Conveyor Belting has its way then that situation could well be about to change as they have recently launched a brand new range of Dunlop Ultima rubber sheeting.
Dunlop’s strategy is based on offering a top-quality European manufactured product that is competitively priced, totally safe to handle, long-lasting and which has an order and delivery system that is flexible, fast and easy. The company believes that this combination will be more attractive than imported rubber sheeting from Asia with all the associated quality, logistical and commercial issues.
Dunlop Conveyor Belting technical director, Dr. Michiel Eijpe, explains why it is now able to manufacture top-quality sheeting at highly competitive market prices. “The quality of any rubber product, especially its durability, wear resistance and strength is largely determined by the quality of the raw materials that are used. We have managed to achieve greater economy without compromising the quality by investing in brand-new equipment and developing highly efficient new production processes.”
Eijpe goes on to explain that the new Dunlop Ultima rubber sheeting range, which is exclusively made in Dunlop’s Drachten factory in the Netherlands, has been designed and developed
strictly in accordance with DIN 7715 international standards. “Our Research & Development team has made sure that Ultima is exceptionally resistant to wear and has excellent tensile strength. It is also fully resistant to the harmful effects of ozone and ultra violet, which causes rubber to crack and degrade.” Safety is also an important factor. “Like all of our products, Ultima is safe to handle and safe to use with livestock because it fully complies with the strict European regulations (REACH) concerning the use of potentially hazardous chemicals within the manufacturing process. These regulations do not apply to manufacturers located outside of Europe of course.”
SPEED OF SERVICE
Dunlop feels that it also has a number of other advantages .To make the ordering process quick and easy, the company has created a dedicated Internet website and on-line payment system.
The website allows customers to select the products and quantities they want to order and even calculates the cost of delivery based on the post/zip code. Orders are then fed directly to a specially adapted warehouse in Holland for the fastest possible turnaround.
Sales & Marketing Director Andries Smilda is particularly excited by what is a very new approach, not only for Dunlop but also for industry in general. “We have always competed on quality but thanks to a lot of hard work by a lot of people behind the scenes we now feel that we have added competitive pricing and enhanced customer service to the customary Dunlop quality advantage.”