Rotterdam is one of the main ports and the largest logistic and industrial hubs of Europe.With an annual throughput of 430mt (million tonnes) of cargo in 2010, Rotterdam is by far the largest seaport of Europe. The port is the gateway to an European market of more than 350 million consumers.
Rotterdam owes its position to excellent accessibility via the sea, hinterland connections and the many companies and organizations, active in the port and industrial complex. The port stretches out over 40 kilometres and is about 10,500ha (excluding Maasvlakte 2).
Cargo throughput in the Port of Rotterdam increased by 0.8% in 2011 to 433mt; 3mt more than the previous record year, 2010.
Rotterdam serves a hinterland of more than 150 million consumers living within a radius of 500 kilometres of Rotterdam, and 500 million consumers all over Europe. This is a gigantic market, representing a combined buying power of $600 billion. The European market is accessible from Rotterdam via five competing modalities: road, rail, inland shipping, coastal shipping and pipeline. Goods which arrive in Rotterdam in a morning can be in, for example, Germany, Belgium, France or Great Britain the same afternoon. From Rotterdam, all major industrial and economic centers in Western Europe can be reached in less than 24 hours.
One of the main advantages of Rotterdam is its location on the estuary of the rivers Rhine and Maas. As a result, efficient and economical transport by inland vessel is possible deep into the heart of Europe. The Betuwe Route is the new, 160km-longgoods line that links Rotterdam directly with Germany. Feeder and short-sea ships connect Rotterdam by sea with more than 200 European ports; often with several departures a day. The short-sea/feeder ship is forming an increasingly important alternative to goods transport via Europe's busy roads. Underground, Rotterdam has direct links with the major industrial centres elsewhere in Northwest Europe. Pipeline is an ideal mode of transport for bulk chemicals, crude oil and oil products. Despite all this, the truck remains indispensable, particularly when it comes to more short-distance transport and door-to-door delivery.
 
MAASVLAKTE 2
More and more goods are shipped through Rotterdam, and a growing number of companies want to set up business in the area. However, the existing port and industrial area is quickly running out of space. It is expected that around 2012–2014 there will no longer be any large sites left. Expansion is essential for the port to continue to meet the rising demand in future and to maintain its leading role. If the port fails to grow, there is a good chance that shipping companies will pass Rotterdam by in the future. That is why the construction of Maasvlakte 2 is necessary. Construction began in 2008 so that the first containers can be processed in 2013.
Maasvlakte 2 will be a direct extension of the existing Maasvlakte and will have access to all its connections with the European hinterland. Maasvlakte 2 will create a new top location in the heart of the European market, with 1,000 hectares of  space for deepsea related container transshipment, distribution and chemical industry. These sectors have a great interest in the industrial sites on the deep waterways of Maasvlakte 2. Nowhere else in Europe will the largest ships in the world be able to moor 24 hours a day.
Naturally, the future of the port depends not only on its position on the market. The quality of life and concern for the environment are just as important as strengthening Rotterdam’s position as a mainport. Expanding the port and improving quality of life go hand in hand.This dual objective has been anchored in the Rotterdam Mainport Development Project (PMR) from day one. PMR consists of three sub-projects, including Maasvlakte 2, improvement to the Existing Rotterdam Area (BRG) and the construction of a 750-hectare recreation area and sites of natural interest. Furthermore, the nature that is lost as a result of the construction of Maasvlakte 2 will be extensively compensated with the creation of a sea bed protection area reservation (formerly sea reserve) and the enlargement of the dune area.
Work is going well on the project, with quay walls emerging from recently reclaimed land, and the growth of sea defences, and good progress being made on infrastructure projects, including railway tracks. With around 200m of the 240 million cubic metres of sand required for Maasvlakte 2 delivered, the foundations for Rotterdam’s new port extension are now in place.
The 11km perimeter of the outer seawall is the main defence against the weather, comprising a 7.5km soft seawall along the southern and western edges and a 3.5km hard seawall protecting the more exposed north-western edge to a height of 14m +NAP. The design of the hard seawall was influenced by the reduced available area, due to its proximity to the main fairway into Rotterdam.
 
LONG-TERM VISION
Port Compass outlines the ambitions and vision for the future of the port of Rotterdam:The PortVision 2030.
 
Vision 2030
By 2030, Rotterdam plans to be Europe’s most important port and industrial complex. It’s a strong combination of the Global Hub and Europe’s Industrial cluster, both leading in efficiency and sustainability. Rotterdam is closely connected with other North West European industrial and logistics areas. Leading companies invest in modern facilities. Cooperation between companies, government and universities results in a high quality labour market, good quality of life and accessibility. Thus, Rotterdam is a major pillar for the prosperity in the Rijnmond area,T he Netherlands and Europe.
In 2030, Rotterdam industries and energy sector will function as an integrated complex with Antwerp. Hence it is the largest, most modern and sustainable petrochemical and energy complex of Europe.
This complex competes on world scale through its cluster advantages, integrated supply chains and energy-efficiency. The transition to a sustainable energy supply and bio-based chemicals is in full swing.
 
Crucial actions
Port Compass describes nine success factors, each with a concrete ambition, followed by a number of different challenges that need to be fulfilled to realize this ambition.
The success factors are:
  •  investment climate;
  •  land use;
  •  accessibility;
  •  shipping;
  •  environment, safety and quality of life;
  •  labour;
  •  city and region;
  •  laws and regulations; and
  •  innovation.
 
Based on the vision, the success factors and an analysis of trends, development and estimates for cargo throughput, the following actions will be necessary to realize the vision:
  •  transition of the industrial sector;
  •  efficient logistic chains in a European network;
  •  improving accessibility;
  •  improving the quality of life; and
  •  innovation and decisiveness.
 
 
 
EBS bulk terminal expands for coal
European Bulk Services (EBS) B.V. is a major multipurpose bulk terminal operator in the Port of Rotterdam in the Netherlands. EBS engages in the transshipment, loading, discharge and storage of all kinds of dry bulk products such as agrimass and biomass products, coal and minerals.
 
TERMINALS
European Bulk Services (EBS) B.V. conducts its business operations from two strategically located areas in the Rotterdam port area, namely the EBS Europoort terminal (at the Capesize dolphins), and the EBS St. Laurenshaven terminal, a Panamax terminal. The terminals have excellent connections to deep seaways, hinterland by inland waters, railways and trucks by highways. The terminals can be reached
without having to pass a single lock. All types of ships can be handled at these terminals, from Capesize to coastal and river barge. The Europoort terminal is one-and-a-half-hours’ sailing time to/from the pilot station and the St. Laurenshaven terminal is three hours’ sailing time to/from the pilot station.
 
EBS LAURENSHAVEN EXPANDS BY APPROX. 5 HA.
Recently EBS finalized a long-term lease with the Port of Rotterdam concerning a site with an area of around 5ha, which adjoins the current location.
The open storage area will be used for the storage of dry bulk goods such as coal and ore. EBS expects the new site , called West 4, to become operational in February 2012. This new EBS site will increase capacity by approximately 300,000 tonnes.

MAGNETIC SEPARATORS OF IRON PARTS OF COAL
In order to meet the special requirements of the coal import market, EBS has invested in several (electro) magnet systems for cleaning contaminated coal with iron parts. The St. Laurenshaven terminal, with a depth of 13.85m, is perfectly equipped to handle and store, amongst others, coal from Russian load ports. These load ports have a similar maximum draught to the St. Laurenshaven. Receivers of Russian coals can be extra sure of the quality of their coal if their product is cleaned for metals via the EBS de-ironing installation! The electro magnets are installed in such a way that the coal can be cleaned either via storage or via board to board discharge operations.
 
SOLUTIONS, SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES
EBS strives to provide tailor-made services in consultation with its clients and offers: y transshipment of Capesize and Panamax carriers into coastal vessels and river barges by means of floating cranes and gantry grab cranes; y open and covered storage facilities; y blending facilities and weighing services; y excellent transshipment facilities via road river and sea; and y SKAL, USDA-NOP certificates and GMP+, BLU Code, ISPS and ISO certified administration procedures.
 
ROUND-THE-CLOCK SERVICE
The EBS terminals are available 24 hours/day, from Monday 07.30hrs till Saturday 15.30hrs and weekends and holidays upon request.
 
 
 
ZHD Stevedoring makes major investments in equipment and facilities
In order to further strengthen its position in the Rotterdam Rijnmond area and keep on serving its customers in a modern and professional way, ZHD Stevedoring has invested some €18 million over the course of the last 18 months.
The Rotterdam-based family-owned, private company with more than 40 years of stevedoring experience, has been able to continue the strong growth from 2010 into 2011.
Recent milestones include:
  •  a new mobile Gottwald crane (HMK 6407B, High Tower) — operational in Dordrecht since April 2011;
  •  upgrade to loading and discharging facilities for waste-materials at Moerdijk — May 2011;
  •  a new 150m-long quay wall (Mallegat Quay Dordrecht) — opened in June 2011;
  •  20,000m2 of newly developed storage area at Dordrecht — opened in December 2011; and
  •  a new 50-tonne self-propelled floating crane — foreseen to be operational as of May 2012.
Although forecasts for this year are uncertain, ZHD Stevedoring has decided to keep on investing in 2012. Early in 2012, ZHD Stevedoring will start constructing covered storage space in Dordrecht.
The demand for covered storage space from both existing as well as potential new customers has been high in 2011, says Leo Lokker, commercial director at ZHD Stevedoring. “By investing in covered storage facilities we expect and trust to serve our customers even better,” he says. “The same goes for our new self-propelled 50-tonne floating crane which is now under construction at our terminal in Dordrecht. This new self-propelled 50- tonne floating crane further expands ZHD Stevedoring’s crane capacity and will load and discharge in Rotterdam, Dordrecht and Moerdijk.”
As of 1 July 2011 the municipality of Dordrecht and the Rotterdam Port Authorities have entered into an agreement to combine forces. This implicates that of this date the Port of Dordrecht has become an integral part of the Port of Rotterdam with all its benefits. Although already active in Rotterdam for many years, by means of its self-propelled floating cranes, ZHD Stevedoring recognizes the advantages being part of the Port of Rotterdam. In close co-operation with the Rotterdam Port Authorities ZHD Stevedoring is looking into the possibility of reclaiming another 10ha. of land at its terminal in Dordrecht.
Apart from handling products like minerals, coal, petcokes and seasonal products as salt, ZHD Stevedoring has been focusing on handling and storage in niche markets such as steel-scrap, biomass (woodpellets) and waste- materials. Special services in the field of breakbulk and bulk in containers (such as minerals, scrap) are not unfamiliar to ZHD Stevedoring and completes the handling portfolio of the stevedore. With its steel terminal in Moerdijk, ZHD handles coils as well as other steel products.
Rotterdam-based ZHD Stevedoring is a family owned, private company with more than 40 years of stevedoring experience. ZHD is active in the total so-called Rotterdam- –Rijnmond area, with terminals in Dordrecht and Moerdijk, but also with its (self-propelled) floating cranes in Rotterdam. The company offers services in bulk-, neo bulk-, steel products-, coils- and container handling, including warehousing and storage (open, covered and floating). ZHD has both road mobile and floating equipment and is able to handle all kinds of products. All ZHD terminals are able to work round the clock (24/7) and are ISO and ISPS certified. Furthermore, ZHD also has water-related sites available for further (industrial) development.
 
 
 
EMO — full service gateway for coal and iron ore
FUTURE BIOMASS HUB FOR THE NETHERLANDS AND GERMANY
Over the years EMO has acquired a strong position in the dry bulk market servicing power plants and the steel industry in North-Western Europe. Today, the EMO deepwater terminal, which can accommodate the world’s largest dry bulk carriers with a draught of up to 23 metres, is well positioned to meet developing and changing trends in raw materials logistics.
The EMO terminal for coal and iron ore is located at the Maasvlakte in Rotterdam. Since the EMO terminal was commissioned in 1973, it has been expanded and diversified. Today, EMO’s advanced facilities and technology offer increasingly greater flexibility in meeting new and changing demands in the handling of bulk raw materials. With loading and unloading facilities operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, EMO currently has an unloading capacity of 42mt (million tonnes) and an unrivalled throughput capacity of over 60mt a year. Apart from core business — unloading, storage and loading activities — EMO looks at every opportunity to provide added value for its existing and new customers.
One of these opportunities is the development of solid biomass transshipment and storage for (co)firing at power stations.With its expertise in transshipment logistics, technology and expansion possibilities EMO is ideally situated to handle large volumes of solid biomass.
 
GIANT HANDLING FACILITIES
Giant bulk carriers require giant handling facilities. The EMO quay can accommodate up to four Capesize vessels at the same time. The vessels can be unloaded simultaneously by the wide- span grab unloaders. In addition the EMO floating crane is also used to unload directly into smaller vessels. To guarantee the flexibility and continuity of the terminal EMO will invest in a new, fifth unloader. This 85-tonne unloader, of European origin — and, together with two other EMO unloaders, the largest in the world — will be operational in 2012 and will create an increase in unloading capacity of around 8mt per year.
Currently coal and iron ore for overseas destinations are loaded at the Amazoneharbour quay into sea-going vessels. A new loader for seagoing vessels will be build at the Mississippiharbour quay to replace the current loader. A new unloading berth served by floating cranes will be operational as from 2012.
 
RAIL LOADING FACILITIES
Large volumes of coal or iron ore are loaded into rail wagons under EMO’s fully automated installations. The exact load of each wagon is determined in the weighing bunker. These installations are directly connected to the European rail network by the dedicated rail cargo line — the Betuwelijn. As from 2006 EMO invested in an upgrading of the coal train loading facility. With this investment EMO increases its train loading capacity up to 16 coal trains daily. The new loading facility became operational in July 2011.
 
EXTENSIVE STOCK AREA
The terminal’s extensive stock area up to 7mt for both coal and iron ore gives the flexibility to handle bulk cargoes for seagoing vessels, inland waterway barges and rail cars. Today, the various storage areas are served by six automated stacker-reclaimers. To handle increasing volumes of coal and iron ore a seventh stacker-reclaimer will be added around June 2012. It is the largest one of its kind in Europe and is capable of reclaiming materials at a rate of up to 4,500 tonnes per hour. Coal is mostly stored in paved stockyards to prevent contamination and when necessary, compacted to prevent spontaneous combustion.
To meet the foreseen growth and additional need for storage capacity, EMO will expand the site with a phased expansion of around 23ha on the Hartelstrip resulting in a storage capacity of 8mt. The Hartelstrip is located opposite the Mississippiharbour. As from 2014, EMO plans to bring into use an area of 11.5ha with railway connection. EMO has an option on the adjacent area of 12ha.
 
POWER PLANTS
On the EMO site, energy corporation Electrabel is building a coal fired power plant. As from 2013, this co-siting between EMO and Electrabel will be operational. Simultaneously German energy corporation E.ON is also
building another coal fired power plant on its site next to EMO. This new power plant will be operational in 2012 and, just like the existing Maasvlakte plant of E.ON, it will be fed directly from EMO through the underground conveyor belt.