Centuries’ experience handling forest products in the Port of Amsterdam

FROM FISHING VILLAGE TO INTERNATIONAL TRADE CENTRE
The trade history of Amsterdam started off in the 13th century when fishermen placed palisades along the banks of the river Amstel, founding Amsteldam, later to be known as Amsterdam. Inhabitants of the settlement were granted the privilege of free navigation of the Dutch waters, making trade by waterways all that more attractive.
The city and port quickly grew, international contacts flourished and a wide range of imported goods were loaded and unloaded in the Amsterdam city centre. Amsterdam developed into the most important port and trade centre in the world, handling various cargoes such as porcelain, spices, tobacco, sugar, salt, grains, cocoa and wood.
THE CITY BUILT ON FOREST PRODUCTS
Not only is the city centre built on wooden poles, timber has always been a driver for the shipbuilding industry and thus timber trade in Amsterdam. The first excavated dock (dug by hand) in the Amsterdam port area was even dedicated to this industry.

• soft wood (sawn);
• hard wood;
• board/fibreboard (various varieties);
• kraftliner; y DIY products (ready for use);
• wood pallets;
• wood chips;
• pulp (various fibres);
• paper (printing paper reels and consumer printing paper);
• cellulose material; and
• other related products, such as soft commodities like cocoa (the Port of Amsterdam is world’s #1 cocoa port) and coffee, nuts, tapioca and natural rubber/latex

EXPECTATIONS FOR 2011
The specialized terminals in the port of Amsterdam mainly handle paper, pulp and wood (products).
In 2010 Amsterdam handled 800,000 tonnes of forest products by sea, compared to 730,000 tonnes in 2009. Furthermore, a number of tonnes of softwood from Scandinavia is imported by truck. The statistical changes are mainly due to a slight supply increase in wood pulp and a decrease in paper products. The decline of stocking is also noticeable in the numbers of 2010. In some cases changes were seen in the multimodal supply chain too, for example the shift to rail transport.
ADDED VALUE

•  the Waterland ‘All Weather’ terminal, a covered terminal which allows 365/24/7 handling under any weather condition, saving costs on packaging material for moist sensitive products. Also all modalities can be transshipped covered;
• full logistic services are provided, including taking over warehouse management and support via electronic processing, connecting producers and/or end receiver in one system;
  
• processing is done by — for instance — Stora Enso Timber. The company recently opened up a new processing location providing for the DIY chains throughout Europe with a 98% delivery guarantee. It is one of the most high-tech facilities within the Stora Group and Europe. It can automatically plane to measure, cut to measure, bar code and bundle timber: ready for use. Stora Timber also serves directly to high-volume industrial clients with specific needs for soft wood. It also connects directly into the ordering systems of its customers and handles the restocking, additional orders, delivery schedule (with all particulars) and returns;
  
• several midsize companies add value by the wide variety in hard wood in different sizes. They are fit for the smaller volumes specific processing of hard wood; and
  
• all processing and trading companies are avid and active in supporting FSC certification and other relevant certification.

INVESTMENTS IN SERVICE
The Port of Amsterdam continuously works on the maintenance and improvement of its infrastructure and accessibility. Together with the Dutch government, Province of Noord-Holland and the City of Amsterdam the Port of Amsterdam is in agreement about the funding of a large new sea lock whose purpose is to simplify access to the Amsterdam port region. Under the terms of a covenant, the new lock will be operational in 2016.
Next to the nautical gateway, investments are also made in rail and road connections (rail yards and junctions and highways) allowing the Amsterdam port even better access to the European markets. To reduce congestion on the roads, the Port of Amsterdam is encouraging water and rail transport.
Naturally the terminals themselves make the necessary investments to keep servicing their customers in the optimal manner they’re used to and require. For example,VCK Logistics has had forklifts fitted to handle paper reels with intelligent roll
clamps for vertical and horizontal handling of single rolls.This means that the right amount of pressure is applied to lift and carry the reel without damage. The neighbouring Waterland Terminal has invested in an overhead crane that is fitted with equipment for vacuum lifters for paper reels, as well as a hoist element for lifting up to 20 tonnes of pulp. Furthermore, Waterland Terminal will extend its warehousing by approximately 8,000m2.
THE PORT YOU CAN RELY ON
With a personal approach the port of Amsterdam strives to create tailor made solutions for their customers. It is a port that values your cargo and understands your business. A fast and efficient port with excellent hinterland connections. A port you can rely on.