In 1998, the multi-purpose, stevedoring- and terminal operating company,Waterland Terminal, set ground in the Amsterdam port area. It established the first ‘All Weather Terminal’, a terminal which allows sea-going vessels to transship their moisture- sensitive cargo, such as paper and steel, irrespective of the weather. Since then this unique concept has been introduced in many other countries worldwide. Waterland Terminal has expanded its operations with two more covered quays and warehousing and more expansion is on the horizon.
OPPORTUNITIESAt the Port of Amsterdam in the Netherlands, the Waterland Terminal is doing well. In the first half of 2011, the terminal transshipped 20% more cargo than in the same period last year. That said, it is hard to predict what will happen in the second half of 2011. There has been a striking decline in orders, in particular products used in construction due to stagnation within the building industry. Nevertheless, the Waterland Terminal sees opportunities and has invested in an expansion.
EXPANSIONBehind its third all- weather terminal, Waterland Terminal is building two new warehouses for indoor storage and transshipment: 2,300m2 for the storage of high-quality steel and 3,600m2 for general use. The warehouse for high quality steel will have an overhead crane with a 40-tonne lifting capacity, just like the existing warehouses. “It loads very efficiently, and you use every square foot of warehouse space,” says General Director Rene´ Finson.
SOLID INVESTMENTBehind the new warehouses, the existing covered ‘loading street’, for loading trucks and cargo trains, will be extended. Waterland Terminal has no concrete freight for the newly created capacity. “We have a lack of space as it is, so the new warehouses will come to good use,” says Finson. However,Waterland Terminal is also anticipating possible developments in the steel industry. “If any steel comes, we have a wonderful facility to instantly deploy. If not, then we have a good general warehouse.”
ADDITIONAL PLANSWaterland Terminal also has tentative plans to build a half covered quay for deep-sea vessels with weather-sensitive cargo. Next to this, the successful company has managed to attract several midsize customers for cargoes including: coils, pipes, cellulose and paper reels.