Logistics provider Maersk and the Port of Rotterdam Authority have reached agreement on the issue of a 185,000 m2 site at the extreme southern tip of the Prinses Amaliahaven at Maasvlakte II. Maersk will build a 23,000 m2 cross-dock and a 35,000 m2 cold store on the site. The complex is scheduled to be completed in 2023.
A huge number of Maersk ships visit the port of Rotterdam every year. The company is now also active as a tenant of logistical sites. The cross-dock will be used for the short-term storage of fast-moving consumer goods. Meanwhile, the cold store will be used for the transhipment of a range of agri-food products, including frozen meat, fish, vegetables and fresh fruit.
‘Rotterdam is Maersk’s largest port for temperature-controlled cargo,’ explains Jens Ole Krenzien, Vice President Maersk North West Continent. ‘It’s an important gateway to and from mainland Europe and has a huge catchment area and a strong hinterland infrastructure. The establishment of the cross-dock and the cold store are therefore a logical step towards strengthening our strong position and enabling us to grow further in the port of Rotterdam.’
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Temporarily storing and processing cargo
The site in question had already been reserved for container transhipment by APM Terminals, which is affiliated to Maersk.
Rolf Nielsen, Head of Hub APMT: ‘Thanks to Maersk’s focus on Maasvlakte II and the support from the Port Authority, the strength and potential of this part of the port is really growing. We’d like to thank Maersk and the Port Authority for supporting this land lease, which is resulting in a better mix of port activities. The refrigerated cargo handling location, which will become available in 2023, will enable carriers to temporarily store and process their cargo in large volumes safely and conveniently – and keep it refrigerated, if necessary. That was urgently needed.’
The development of the cross-dock and the cold store will cost around € 50 million. The complex will provide employment for 200 people.
Expansion at Maasvlakte II
In the meantime, in the Prinses Amaliahaven work is under way on the construction of new deep-sea and inland shipping quays measuring 1825 and 160 metres, respectively. Container terminals RWG and APM Terminals have already signed options to use the quays and further develop the sites around this port.
Nielsen: ‘We’ve declared our intention to double the capacity of our APM Terminal on Maasvlakte II. Concrete plans for this expansion and the necessary transformation are now being carefully discussed in detail with the trade unions and Works Council and are being improved, where necessary. Hopefully there will be a concrete plan that all the parties involved can stand behind before the end of March. That will allow us to finally be able to operate at full capacity by early 2026.’
Picture: From left to right: Jan Buijze (APM Terminals Maasvlakte II), Hans Nagtegaal (Port of Rotterdam) and Marijn Visser (Maersk) (by Danny Cornelissen).
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