Amsterdam Seaports No.1 2011

Energy special

Ter Haak Group celebrates its centenary

ZPMC Europe: Bridgehead to Europe

AMSTERDAMAMSTERDAM - BEVERWIJK - IJMUIDEN - ZAANSTAD

2011/nr1

SEAPoRTS

Energy special



Energy special



C O L O P H O N

2 Amsterdam Seaports No. 1 2011 www.amports.nl

03 Seaports full of ‘energy’

05 News in brief

06 News in brief

07 Amsterdam Seaports is ready for the future

08 Tank storage terminals in Amsterdam Seaports go green

11 New investment plans for Oiltanking Amsterdam

12 Energy in the picture

14 Coal on the rise

16 One hundred million euro modernisation

17 Amsterdam Seaports: Hub for offshore wind energy

18 Hydrocarbon Hotel, a new tank storage terminal

19 More tanks for greater flexibility

21 Amsterdam Seaports goes biodiesel

22 Ongoing growth as a multi-modal business

23 Keeping the cranes up

AmsterdAm seAPOrtsPublisher: Amsterdam Ports Association

Main contributors: Bart Stam (chief editor), Mark van Baal, Jan van den Berg, Helen Hill, Pieter van Hove, Joris Moes, Willem Moojen, Rob Schoemaker and Niels Tersteeg (trainee).

Photos: Dick van den Berg, Martin Hendriksen, Willem Moojen, Ed Seeder, Reinder Weidijk and others.

Translation: Writewell: Andrew Rogers, Akke Pinkster

Advertising:Daniel Alfeder,De Ruijterkade 7, 1013 AA AmsterdamTelephone + 31 20-6273706Mobile phone +31 6-28999519Fax: + 31 20-6264969E-mail: [email protected]: www.amports.nl

Important addresses:

Amsterdam Ports AssociationManaging director: Wim RuijghDe Ruijterkade 7, 1033 AA AmsterdamTelephone: +31 20-627 37 06Fax: +31 20-626 49 69E-mail: [email protected]: www.amports.nl

Port of AmsterdamP.O. Box 194061000 GK AmsterdamTelephone: (0)20-5234500Fax: +31 20-6209821Ships movements information:Telephone: +31 20-6221515Website: www.portofamsterdam.nl

Port representatives abroad USA Jacob Willemsen (New York)+1 - 212 - 681 [email protected] Roy Wansik (Houston)+1 - 713 - 964 [email protected] Mannes Boelen +31 - 6 - 53 391 [email protected] Stella Shao (Shanghai)+86-216 - 288 [email protected]

Port of BeverwijkNoorderkade 1, 1948 NR BeverwijkTelephone: +31 251-224750Fax: +31 251-214050E-mail: [email protected]: www.beverwijk.nl

Zeehaven IJmuiden NVHalkade 4, P.O. Box 5411970 AM IJmuidenTelephone: +31 255-547000Fax: +31 255-547060E-mail: [email protected]: www.zeehaven.nl

Port of ZaanstadWestkade 2, 1506 BA ZaandamTelephone: +31 75-6816888Fax: +31 75-6816799E-mail: [email protected]: www.zaanstad.nl

Business Association ORAMDe Ruijterkade 71013 AA AmsterdamTelephone: +31 20-6222111Fax: +31 20-6203133E-mail: [email protected]: www.oram.nl

Chamber of Commerce AmsterdamDe Ruijterkade 5, 1013 AA AmsterdamTelephone: +31 20-5314000Fax: +31 20-5314699E-mail: [email protected]: www.amsterdam.kvk.nl

Layout: FIZZ reclame + communicatie, Meppel

Printed by:Ten Brink, Meppel

ContentsAdvertisers:

04 AYOP

20 EuroTankAmsterdamBV

10 KVSA

20 Oiltanking

20 SpecialisedTankerServices

10 WaterlandTerminal

24 ZeehavenIJmuidenNV

Cover Photo: AmsterdamSeaportsisabroadenergyport.Intheforegroundyoucanseesomeofthe88whitetanksofOiltankingAmsterdam,whilebelowweseethedevelopmentofthenewVestaBiofuelsbiodieselplant.Youwillalsospotvariouslarge3MWwindturbines.

A M P O R T S

Seaports full of ‘energy’

By the time you read this column 2011 will be well

underway, and hopefully this year will herald the

definitive recovery of Amsterdam Seaports. I would

like to take this opportunity, however, to reflect on the

results of 2010.

I am pleased to report that the past year was reasonably

successful with a combined storage and transhipment of

90 million tons, an increase of four percent. Although less

growth than seen in Rotterdam (+11 percent) and Antwerp

(+13 percent), it is important to note that in the ‘disaster

year’ of 2009, Amsterdam Seaports had a far smaller

reduction than our fellow ports in the Le Havre-Hamburg

range. In fact, it was only in 2008 that we achieved a better

result (94.7 million tons) than the 2010 figures.

Other positive developments in 2010 included the strong

recovery of steel company Tata Steel in IJmuiden (one

of the four seaports within Amsterdam Seaports), the

thirteen percent increase in transhipment of agri-bulk

(mostly grains and animal fodder products) and the

fourteen percent increase in Roll-on/Roll-off, including cars.

And although the transhipment of oil products and coal

in Amsterdam saw a small decline, both bulk segments

recovered in the second half of 2010.

This edition of Amsterdam Seaports focuses on our role

as a major international energy port. As fossil fuels will

remain the main source of energy for decades to come, we

place an extra spotlight on the storage and transhipment

of oil products and coal in the North Sea Canal region. It is

interesting to read how much money, time and manpower

the major terminals have spent on environmental and

safety measures over recent years. And there is more to tell, such

as the growth of IJmuiden regarding offshore wind turbines, or

the fact that Amsterdam Seaports is becoming a major player

in the field of biodiesel, especially when Greenmills and Vesta

Biofuels go into production this year.

I won’t bore you with a list of all the articles in this edition, but

believe me when I say that Amsterdam Seaports combines four

seaports full of ‘energy’!

Michiel A. Wijsmuller, Chairman Amports

www.amports.nl Amsterdam Seaports No. 1 2011 3

AMSTERDAM SEAPoRTS Official publication on behalf of the ports of Amsterdam, Beverwijk, Ymuiden and ZaanstadPublished4timesayearinEnglishbyAmsterdamPortsAssociation([email protected])

MORE ABOUT AMSTERDAM PORTS ASSOCIATION AND ITS 300 MEMBERS: WWW.AMPORTS.NL

www.ayop.com


N E W S I N B R I E F

MORE ABOUT AMSTERDAM PORTS ASSOCIATION AND ITS 300 MEMBERS WWW.AMPORTS.NL

TRANShIPMeNT INCReASe fOR AMSTeRdAM SeAPORTS IN 2010

Amsterdam Seaports ended last year with a four percent rise in

transhipments. The ports of the North Sea Canal region handled some 90

million tons in 2010.

Compared to 2009, transhipment in the Amsterdam port declined by just 1%

to approximately 72.5 million tons. After a 7.1 % drop in the first six months,

the second half showed a 5% recovery and by the end of 2010 the total

transhipment had almost reached the level of the previous year. For example,

the decline in the transhipment of oil products and coal in the first six months

was followed by a rise in the second half of the year.

Year-on-year recovery was seen with agricultural bulk (+13%) and sand, gravel

and minerals. Roll on/Roll Off transhipment also grew strongly by 40%, while

general cargo and container transhipment declined.

Major challenges for the Port of Amsterdam in 2011 include strengthening

Amsterdam’s position as a logistical and economic hub, the new Port

Information Guide, ensuring ongoing progress with the new sea lock and

possible privatisation of the port of Amsterdam.

In 2010, the transhipment in IJmuiden increased by 30% to 17 million tons,

mainly due to the growing demand from Tata Steel, while the import of

fresh fish increased from 12,774 tons to 14,041 tons, a turnover growth of

approximately ten percent. For the pelagic fishing sector the year mainly

involved substantial fleet investments.

To further develop as a major European hub, the Port of IJmuiden NV recently

started construction of 440 metres of quay wall for a new terminal for reefer

containers for deep-frozen fresh fish. Meanwhile, the number of passengers

on DFDS Seaways between IJmuiden and Newcastle (UK) increased by four

percent to a record-breaking 555,000.

STeRN TRAWLeR AS GOOd AS NeW

After a refit of nearly a year at ship repair yard

Shipdock Amsterdam, the stern trawler SCH81

Carolien (owned by the fishing company Cornelis

Vrolijk in IJmuiden) was relaunched in late 2010.

Named after director Carolien Vrolijk, the vessel

was upgraded in accordance with the latest

environmental requirements, including those

due to be implemented in 2015. This included

changing the cooling system so that it no longer

uses Freon but a mix of ammonia (NH3) and CO

2.

Other renovations involved the working decks,

conveyor belts, crew accommodations, bridge,

sonar systems, echo sounder and the navigation

& control equipment.

AeO CeRTIfICATION fOR NUSTAR

NuStar is the first tank storage company in

Amsterdam Seaports to receive the so-called

AEO certification from Dutch Customs. AEO offers

numerous benefits to logistical companies that

are active in international trade, including the

reduction and simplification of physical customs

checks. Mary Morgan, European president

of NuStar, was handed the certificate on 17

December 2010.

NeW SeA CONTAINeRS

Container Company Amsterdam (CCA) has

launched a new range of multifunctional

containers that meet the most stringent quality

demands. Developed in cooperation with the

Rotterdam-based company Mammoet, 450 of

these ISO-certified containers have already been

made by Chinese company CIMC. The containers

can be used for land and sea transport or as a

counterbalance for the new generation of cranes.

They have a load capacity of up to 120 tons.

Aerial photograph of Amsterdam Seaports

The stern trawler Carolien


VCK GROUP ANd COMPASS START

STRATeGIC COOPeRATION

The Amsterdam VCK Group has taken a 50%

stake in German logistics company ComPass.

ComPass will benefit the extensive VCK network

and client base, while VCK will expand into

the German market with VCK subsidiary All-in

Logistics (AIL) playing a key role. Founded in

1993 and located near Düsseldorf International

Airport, ComPass employs over 200 staff and

will continue its current activities under its

own name and management. Peter Loonen,

managing director of the VCK Group, has joined

the Board of Directors of ComPass Holding.

OSd LAUNCheS NeW OffShORe VeSSeL

Anglo-Dutch company Offshore Ship Designers

(OSD) has launched a new offshore wind farm

maintenance vessel concept that will improve

uptime of deepwater wind turbines and reduce

costs by carrying out simultaneous maintenance

of multiple wind turbines. The Sea–Wind design

is a submersible dock ship with a large floodable

dock accessible from the stern. It will provide

accommodation for wind turbine engineers,

service personnel, ships and support crew. The

vessel has a capability to service up to 45 wind

turbines per day in up to 2.5 m significant wave

heights. Offshore Ship Designers Group (OSD)

is based in IJmuiden (Amsterdam Seaports)

and has offices in Montrose, York, Appledore,

Shanghai and Singapore.

fASTeR CUSTOMS PROCeSSING AT VOLLeRS

In January 2011, warehousing company Vollers

Holland became one of the first cocoa storage

companies in Amsterdam Seaports to receive

AEO certification (Authorised Economic

Operator) from Dutch customs. This document

applies to customs simplification and security

at Vollers’ two facilities in Amsterdam and

Rotterdam.

N E W S I N B R I E F

CITy Of ST. PeTeRSBURG MAKeS MAIdeN CALL TO AMSTeRdAM SeAPORTS

On Saturday 5 February, the brand-new car carrier City of St. Petersburg made

her maiden call in the port of Amsterdam. The Ro/Ro vessel, owned by Nissan

Motor Car Carrier, unloaded 1150 Nissans for the European market at Koopman

Car Terminal with the aid of the nearby Waterland Terminal. The Dutch operator

of the vessel, Euro Marine Carrier, mainly intends to use City of St. Petersburg for

transporting cars to Northern Europe and Russia.

A unique feature

of the ship is

her streamlined,

semi-spherical

bow shape, which

reduces fuel

consumption.

According to

Nissan this will

result in an annual

reduction of 800

tons of fuel oil

(2500 tons of CO2) compared to a conventional car carrier. Built by Kyokuyo

Shipyard in Japan, the vessel is 140 metres in length with a beam of 22.4 metres

and a total weight of 21,143 tons. With its crew of 24, the vessel can carry up to

2,000 cars per trip at a speed of approximately 16.9 knots.

dfdS SeAWAyS ReCORd

DFDS Seaways’ daily line service between IJmuiden and Newcastle transported

a record number of 555,000 passengers last year, around 24,000 more than in

2009. The passenger increase is the result of a higher occupation of the two

cruise ferries in the spring and autumn seasons due to a successful promotion

campaign. Another reason for the improved figures was the volcanic eruption in

Iceland that paralysed air traffic in April 2010. Many stranded passengers chose to

travel between the UK and the European mainland with DFDS Seaways.

MORE ABOUT AMSTERDAM PORTS ASSOCIATION AND ITS 300 MEMBERS WWW.AMPORTS.NL

City of St. Petersburg arrives at the Koopman Car Terminal

DFDS ferry at the Felison Terminal in IJmuiden

Artist’s impression of the Sea-Wind

“Amsterdam Seaports has a very strong

position in the tank storage of oil products,”

says Ruud van Stralen, commercial

manager for oil and chemicals at the Port of

Amsterdam. “We have several ultra-modern

terminals that can also be used for blending

these products in accordance with the most

diverse specifications.”

Amsterdam has succeeded in obtaining

a dominant position in blending and

has become the largest gasoline port

in the world. Van Stralen: “Amsterdam is

benefitting from the imbalance in the global

gasoline product sector with regards to

the production in Europe on the one hand

and the main markets such as the USA,

West Africa and the Middle East on the

other.” According to Van Stralen, Amsterdam

Seaports also has a leading edge regarding

other oil products: “Over a third of the wet

bulk transhipped in Amsterdam consists of

gas oil. The seaport has the ideal location

with regard to its hinterland in general and

Germany, Switzerland, France and the UK

in particular.” Over the past three years,

Amsterdam has continued to grow between

17 and 25 percent, partly as a result of the

multi-million-euro investments made by the

large terminals between 2005 and 2010.

COAL

Coal is the main dry bulk product handled

by Amsterdam Seaports, with the goal to

increase the current 15 to 17 million tons to

24 million tons by 2020. According to Lex

de Ridder, unit manager bulk logistics of

the Port of Amsterdam, the transport and

transhipment in the ARA range (Amsterdam-

Rotterdam-Antwerp) has been enjoying

considerable growth for a number of years,

notably as a result of the closure of many coal

mines in Germany.

De Ridder says that Amsterdam Seaports

– and of course Rotterdam – will continue

to be the main coal ports in the Le Havre-

Hamburg range. With 33 percent Rotterdam

is slightly bigger than Amsterdam (25

percent, including Tata Steel) with a main

focus on cokes for the steel industry, while

the majority of coal from Amsterdam is used

in electricity plants.

De Ridder: “As a seaport we are well-equipped

for growth up to 24 million tons in 2020.

Increasing the turnover rate is key. Over the

past five to ten years the two large terminals

in Amsterdam – OBA and Rietlanden – have

already invested considerable amounts

into the modernisation of their facilities. In

addition, the Port of Amsterdam is constantly

upgrading its lighter facilities and creating

new mooring places for large bulk carriers.

We have also increased the depth of the

channel to the North Sea Canal to 17.8

metres, enabling large bulk carriers to come

to Amsterdam fully loaded.”

BIO-fUeLS

Like Ruud van Stralen, Marcel Gorris,

commercial manager of the Port of

Amsterdam, also believes that bio-fuels will

play a major part in Amsterdam Seaports,

albeit in the longer term. “As the large tank

storage companies will have to incorporate

and blend an increasing amount of bio-fuels,

the port will automatically become more

sustainable.” Gorris is also proud to report

that the large tank storage companies in

Amsterdam already blended around 800,000

tons of biodiesel and bio-ethanol over the

past year in addition to the total volume of

oil products. Moreover, in late 2010 the new

Greenmills biodiesel plant transferred its first

2,150 tons from Amsterdam to a BP terminal

in the UK. Amsterdam Seaports also has

major ambitions for biomass says Gorris. “We

expect to be transhipping around six million

tons of biomass by 2020.”

www.portofamsterdam.nl


E N E R g y

Amsterdam Seaports is ready for the futureThe International Energy Agency (IEA) has indicated that although fossil fuels (oil, coal and natural gas) will continue to dominate over the coming decades, sustainable energy is slowly gaining ground. By strengthening its position as an international hub for oil products and coal while simultaneously expanding its sustainable energy facilities, Amsterdam Seaports is well placed to benefit.

With an annual throughput of some 37

million tons of gasoline, gas oil, fuel oil and

kerosene, Amsterdam is one of the largest

seaports in the world for oil products. In

fact, when it comes to gasoline, Amsterdam

is the most important port in the world,

ahead even of the likes of Singapore and

Houston.

To stay ahead, however, the terminals

have to continue to invest not only in

increasing their capacity and safety, but also

in environmental measures. Examples of

upgrades include modern vapour recovery

systems, water treatment plants, oil-water

separators and soil sanitation schemes.

Ruud van Stralen, commercial manager for

oil and chemicals at the Port of Amsterdam,

carefully follows developments at the

tank terminals in Amsterdam. “The large

tank storage companies have long been

engaged in proactive environmental

investments, and this increases their

flexibility. Vopak, for instance, uses internal

floating roofs against vapour formation,

while NuStar has opted for a balance system

between the containers. These two different

systems are both highly effective.” Ruud van

Stralen estimates that each terminal has

now invested between 15 and 20 million

euros in vapour recovery systems.

ShIP TO ShIP TRANSfeR

Graham Wastell, director of Silver Star

Agencies, agrees that his company

increasingly needs to consider various

environmental issues – the Amsterdam-

based ship brokerage often deals with the

supply, storage and transit of oil products.

“It is standard procedure for us to check

our customers’ vessels for the stringent

environmental requirements in both our

port and the European Union at large.”

In order to provide more freedom for its

customers, Specialised Tanker Services

(STS), a subsidiary of Silver Star Agencies,

has developed a mobile vapour processing

and degassing installation for ship to

ship transfer. This plant will be going into

operation as soon as the current trial period

is concluded. According to Wastell, this gives

additional room for manoeuvring when

pumping liquid cargo between two tankers.

It also allows tank storage companies to

receive more vessels.

An important development underlined

by the Silver Star Agencies director is that

sea-going vessels have been obliged to

use only low-sulphur fuel in all EU ports

Tank storage terminals in Amsterdam Seaports go green


Three terminal managers from Amsterdam Seaports. From left to right: Rolf van Iterson (BP Amsterdam

Terminal), Eric Kleine (Vopak) and Coen Hübner (Oiltanking Amsterdam)

since January 1, 2010. “This increases the

demand for fuels such as gas oil, creating new

opportunities for the leading terminals in

Amsterdam.”

OILTANKING AMSTeRdAM

With a capacity of 1.6 million m3, Oiltanking

Amsterdam is by far the largest tank storage

terminal in the Port of Amsterdam. As

managing director Coen Hübner points out,

in addition to extra jetties and storage tanks

the company has invested a lot of money

in environmental and safety measures in

recent years. “All 83 tanks have floating roofs

to minimise the leaking of volatile organic

compounds (VOCs). In 2009, we also deployed

an advanced vapour recovery installation

Major oil product storage companies in Amsterdam Seaports have invested heavily in modernising their infrastructure and in environmental upgrades over recent years.

E N E R g y

with special carbon filters, which captures

vapours when loading ships.”

BP AMSTeRdAM ANd eUROTANK

With a capacity of around one million

tons, the BP Amsterdam Terminal (BAT)

is another large import and export point

for materials such as propane, butane,

gasoline products, gas oil and diesel.

“We are working with environmental

investments in many areas,” terminal

manager Rolf van Iterson says. “For

instance, we are currently equipping all

our pump cisterns with an impermeable

layer. We are also carrying out a variety of

soil sanitation projects.”

In 2009, BP Amsterdam completed a major

65 million euro investment, in which

environmental issues were an important

component. This focused primarily on

the direct connection of the new pier for

sea-going vessels to the modern vapour

processing installation. In late 2009, BP

also connected the twelve existing jetties

for inland shipping and sea-going vessels

to a second vapour processing system.

According to its director Frank Schaper,

EuroTank Amsterdam has taken a number

of important environmental steps in

recent years. “In 2009 and 2010 we fitted

two large vapour processing installations

for sea-going ships as well as lorries and

rail tank cars. The plants have a capacity of

2,500 and 5,000 m3 per hour, respectively.”

NUSTAR TeRMINALS

Completed in 2005, NuStar Terminals is

a relatively new tank storage terminal

with a capacity of about 600,000 m3. The

terminal stores and tranships fuel oil,

gas oil, gasoline and biofuels. “In recent

years, we have invested large sums in new

environment and safety systems,” general

manager Dineke Pot says. “We aim to be

an emissions-free terminal.”

“We have a unique vapour recovery

system different from that found at

other terminals,” Environment, Health &

Safety manager Lars de Waart adds. “At

NuStar, all tanks and jetties where volatile

compounds are stored and transhipped

are connected to each other with pipes

and linked to a vapour processing

installation. This means that our system

is functional even when no vessels

are loading or unloading. NuStar has a

completely closed system, removing the

need for floating roofs on our tanks.”

NuStar has also invested a lot in other

fields recently. “All locations where

compounds could leak, such as pumping

stations and loading and unloading points,

have impermeable floors,” De Waart

explains.

“We are currently examining how we can

reduce energy use at the terminal,” Pot

adds. “As part of this process, we will first

look at three large thermal boilers which

heat our fuel oil tanks and consume a great

deal of power. We think that automated

controls may be the key to the required

savings.”

NeW VOPAK TeRMINAL

Vopak will soon have a second terminal

at its disposal in Amsterdam. The existing

terminal has 21 storage tanks, which

together provide 85,000 m3 for fuel oil

and gas oil products. “We have also made

the necessary environmental investments

in recent years,” terminal manager Daan

van Rooijen says. “For instance, in 2009

we replaced an old boiler with a new one


running on natural gas, which led to a

sharp reduction in pollutants such as NOx

and is more energy efficient. In 2008, we

also insulated three fuel oil tanks, cutting

energy consumption by half.”

Naturally, environmental investments

also played a major role in the new Vopak

Terminal Amsterdam Westpoort in the

Afrikahaven (Africa harbour), which will

come into operation later this year with a

capacity of 1.2 million tons. The 41 storage

tanks have an automatic leak detection

system, as do the pipelines between the

jetties and the terminal. Furthermore, all

tank valves are equipped with a special

film (HPDE) to prevent leakage.

“The advantage of a greenfield site is that

we can set up processes using state-of-the-

art technology,” managing director Eric

Kleine points out. “Any emissions of volatile

organic compounds will be very low

thanks to our tanks having both internal

floating roofs and a vaulted ceiling, and our

advanced vapour processing systems that

capture and process vapour both during

loading and under the floating roofs.”

www.oiltanking.com

www.bp.com

www.nustarenergy.com

www.vopak.com

www.silverstar.nl


The transhipment of oil products has increased substantially in Amsterdam Seaports between 2005 and

2010, partly thanks to the considerable investments made by the terminals

In the largest All Weather Terminal of Europe transferring vulnerable products likesteel, timber and paper no longer depends on dry weather conditions.

Stevedore and Terminal operator

Elbaweg 10 - 1044 AD AmsterdamThe NetherlandsT +31 20 44 80 620E [email protected] www.waterlandterminal.nl

www.waterlandterminal.nl

www.felisonterminal.com


The German group Oiltanking,

headquartered in Hamburg, has been

active in Amsterdam Seaports since

1974. “Over the years, our terminal has

grown to encompass a total storage

capacity of 1.6 million m3,” Hübner says.

“Our main activities are storage and

transhipment as well as the blending of

oil products like gasoline, which reflects

the difference in supply and demand

between the US and Europe. But there is

also a lot of gasoline going out from our

terminal to other regions.”

Gasoline is not the only product stored

and blended at Oiltanking Amsterdam,

however. The company deals with a

broad range of oil products such as gas

oil, diesel, naphtha and jet A-1 fuel. They

are stored in 88 different storage tanks

with a capacity ranging from 2,000 to

60,000 m3 each.

PIPeLINe TO SChIPhOL

Oiltanking Amsterdam is linked to

two major pipelines. The first is 80 km

long and ensures the supply of crude

oil from various production platforms

in the North Sea. “We first separate

the salt and water from the oil here in

Amsterdam,” Hübner specifies. “After

treatment we load the treated crude oil

to barges for transportation to refineries

in Rotterdam.”

A second pipeline of approximately

16 km, in operation since 1998, links

Oiltanking Amsterdam to Schiphol

Airport. “This infrastructure allows us

to supply our national airport with

more than 50 percent of its demand for

kerosene,” Hübner adds. Oiltanking is

also storing strategic oil reserves for EU

gouvernments. Finally, the company has

an additional, activity in the form of the

storage of molasses, a syrup-like binder

substance used in livestock feed.

Oiltanking Amsterdam currently employs

78 people, a figure which Hübner expects

to grow in the coming period.

eNVIRONMeNT ANd SAfeTy

In addition to new jetties and storage

tanks, Oiltanking Amsterdam has

made considerable investments in

environmental and safety measures over

recent years. “As a lot of light flammable

liquids stored here it is only right that

we meet the stringent environmental

and safety requirements of the Dutch

authorities,” Hübner points out. The

terminal manager underlines that all his

company’s storage tanks now equipped

with floating roofs so as to minimise the

emissions of volatile organic compounds

(VOCs). In 2009, the company also

installed an advanced vapour processing

installation, which fully absorbs VOC

emissions during the loading of vessels.

Oiltanking is also a member of the

new AMAS association (Amsterdam

Mutual Aid System), in which five large

oil storage terminals in Amsterdam

Seaports cooperate with the regional fire

brigade should a fire break out in any of

the terminals.

exPANSION

Thanks to the excellent results of recent

years and positive market developments,

Oiltanking is currently planning to

expand its terminal site in Amsterdam.

“We hope to soon have the necessary

construction and environmental

permits,” Hübner concludes.

www.oiltanking.com

E N E R g y

The Hong Kong based mv Adriatic Wave docks at Oiltanking’s new jetty in the port of Amsterdam

New investment plans for Oiltanking AmsterdamWith a capacity of 1.6 million cubic metres, Oiltanking Amsterdam is the largest tank storage terminal for oil products at Amsterdam Seaports. “Olitanking is also working on several expansion projects,” managing director Coen Hübner reveals.

E N E R g y I N T H E P I C T U R E


VeRSATILe eNeRGy PORT

It is no exaggeration to say that Amsterdam Seaports is a broad

energy port. Almost all types of energy are represented by an

impressive number of tank storage companies for oil products, two

large coal terminals, an international steel company in IJmuiden

(Tata Steel), two electricity plants and companies involved in

sustainable energy. Examples of these businesses include the new

biodiesel plants of Vesta Biofuels and Greenmills as well as the

offshore wind industry centred in IJmuiden.

These photographs show the wide diversity of Amsterdam

Seaports. In the foreground you can see the 88 white tanks of

Oiltanking Amsterdam, and in the top left corner the contours of

the new Vopak Westpoort Amsterdam Terminal and Rietlanden

Terminals for coal storage. Top right are the tanks of BP Amsterdam

Terminal (BAT), while below we see the development of the new

Vesta Biofuels biodiesel plant. You will also spot various large 3 MW

wind turbines.

VeRSATILe eNeRGy PORT

It is no exaggeration to say that Amsterdam Seaports is a broad

energy port. Almost all types of energy are represented by an

impressive number of tank storage companies for oil products, two

large coal terminals, an international steel company in IJmuiden

(Tata Steel), two electricity plants and companies involved in

sustainable energy. Examples of these businesses include the new

biodiesel plants of Vesta Biofuels and Greenmills as well as the

offshore wind industry centred in IJmuiden.

These photographs show the wide diversity of Amsterdam

Seaports. In the foreground you can see the 88 white tanks of

Oiltanking Amsterdam, and in the top left corner the contours of

the new Vopak Westpoort Amsterdam Terminal and Rietlanden

Terminals for coal storage. Top right are the tanks of BP Amsterdam

Terminal (BAT), while below we see the development of the new

Vesta Biofuels biodiesel plant. You will also spot various large 3 MW

wind turbines.

Coal on the rise


Ready to roll: The new covered coal transhipment terminal at Rietlanden Terminals

E N E R g y

The two large bulk cargo companies (OBA and Rietlanden) in Amsterdam Seaports have joined forces with Tata Steel to keep dust emissions from coal handling to a minimum. This is part of a strategy to ensure that the expected growth in coal throughput from 17 million tons today to 24 million tons by 2020 is responsible and sustainable.

Coal is the main dry bulk sector of

Amsterdam Seaports. Given that high

tech processes increasingly allow modern

power plants to process this fossil fuel

power with ever greater returns, it is

not surprising that there are so many

coal plants in Europe – including the

Netherlands – and that some of them are

even being expanded.

The supply of coal from deep sea ports

to European power plants and steel

mills is a laborious process. The ongoing

closure of German coal mines has already

significantly increased this maritime traffic,

and Germany is set to reduce capacity by a

further 20 million tons in the coming years.

For Amsterdam Seaports, this is expected

to represent an increase in coal throughput

of some 40 percent by 2020. Terminals

should be able to absorb this growth by

improving the processing speed at their

sites.

TWeNTy-fIVe PeRCeNT ShARe

“In absolute terms, coal supply has

flattened over the past two years, partly

because some power plants in Western

Europe have switched over to natural gas,”

explains Lex de Ridder, bulk logistics unit

manager at the Port of Amsterdam. “The

ongoing closure of mines in Germany,

however, has meant that more coal now

comes by sea, turning Amsterdam Seaports

and Rotterdam into main ports for the

product.”

About 25 percent of the coal destined

for ports from Le Havre to Hamburg goes

through Amsterdam Seaports, including

Tata Steel in IJmuiden. With a share of 33

percent, Rotterdam focuses mainly on coke,

which – together with iron ore – supplies

the German steel industry.

“The focus on power production is part of

the reason why Amsterdam did relatively

well last year even though the steel market

was struggling,” De Ridder points out. “This

effect was noticeable both in the port of

Rotterdam and at Tata Steel: For instance,

the supply of raw materials to Tata Steel

in IJmuiden decreased by 60 percent in

2009 – although the situation has since

improved thanks to the global recovery.

The construction of new coal plants here

at home – in Rotterdam and Groningen

Seaports – will further increase the supply

of this fuel.”

hIGheR ThROUGhPUT CAPACITy

OBA Bulk Terminal Amsterdam has

invested heavily in expanding its sites

over recent years. The company now

has 650,000 m2 of surface capacity and

1,230 metres of jetties, offering a storage

capacity of three million tons. OBA was

able to increase its throughput capacity

from around eight to ten million tons a

year by modifying the existing terminal

and constructing new jetties for inland

shipping. The company is also investing in

a new 60-ton bridge crane which will come

into operation in the second half of 2011.

The first coal carrier moored at the new

Rietlanden terminal in the western part

of the port of Amsterdam (Afrikahaven)

in late 2006. Two years ago, the company

was taken over by the French EDF, and

Rietlanden Terminals now has over 565,000

m2 of surface capacity and 1,600 metres

of jetties at its disposal in Amsterdam,

amounting to a storage capacity in excess

of three million tons.

In addition to site expansion and the

improvement of technical equipment such

as floating cranes, OBA Bulk Terminal and

Rietlanden Terminals have done everything

possible to minimise dust emissions during

storage and handling. This was achieved by

installing sprinklers in the overflow bunkers

and conveyors, spraying the coal piles with

a liquid that leaves a thin layer of cellulose

after evaporating, keeping the coal moist

during dry periods, and protecting it from

the wind. A monitoring system tracks the

presence and movements of dust in the air,

and measurements have shown that the

problem has been eliminated.

Tata Steel has also invested heavily in

countering dust emissions both at its site

and in the surroundings. It is over a decade

ago that the steel company installed an

automatic sprinkler system, and this has

since been expanded and improved several

times. New measures include the capacity

Due to the ongoing closure of German coal mines, Amsterdam Seaports expects an increase in coal

throughput of some 40 percent by 2020


E N E R g y

The NeCeSSITy Of A SeCONd

SeA LOCK

The IJgeul, the link between the North

Sea Canal and the port of Amsterdam,

was expanded for vessels with a

draught of 17.8 metres in 2005, allowing

capesizers – bulk carriers of 160,000

to 190,000 tons – to enter the port of

IJmuiden. Unfortunately, these ships

are still too deep to pass through the

locks and reach Amsterdam, and have

to be partly unloaded into barges (i.e.

lightened) before they can take their

remaining cargo to OBA Bulk Terminal

and Rietlanden Terminals in Amsterdam.

While this may seem cumbersome,

lightening means that no additional

action for loading and storage is

necessary at the terminal itself. To

incorporate larger vessels – in terms of

length and beam as well as draught – a

large new sea lock in IJmuiden (500

metres long and 65 to 70 metres wide)

is of crucial importance.

COAL: ThIRd IN eUROPe

According to Eurostat’s 2010 Yearbook,

coal-fired plants provide 18 percent

of electricity in the European Union,

while gas and nuclear power represent

20 and 30 percent, respectively. Lignite

and hydropower accounted for ten

percent each, while biomass and wind

power had a share of three percent.

Coal throughput at Amsterdam

Seaports increased from 17 million

tons in 2003 to 22 million tons in

2007 and 2008. In 2009, throughput

fell to 17.5 million tons as a result

of the global recession, which was

particularly difficult for the steel

industry. Last year, the port of

Amsterdam handled more than 14

million tons of coal, 8.5 of which went

through OBA Bulk Terminal and 5.7 via

Rietlanden Terminals.

The transhipment of coal in IJmuiden

represented nearly five million tons in

2010, an increase of 30 percent over

the difficult previous year. Increased

demand for steel products made

a significant contribution to this

improvement.

to cover the coal stock with a thin layer of

latex in IJmuiden, and wind-proof concrete

walls that minimise wind effect during

long-term storage. Tata Steel now also has

covered conveyor belts, and all roads and

rolling stock are cleaned regularly.

www.rietlanden.com

www.oba-bulk.nl



EuroTank was acquired in 2006 by Vitol,

a leading energy product company

that is currently broadening its focus to

include the exploration and production

of oil reserves as well as the marketing

of oil products. Soon thereafter a large-

scale project was initiated to modernise

the tanks and other installations in the

Amsterdam facilities.

The renovation is aimed at making

improvements in the field of safety, the

environment and the efficiency of the

infrastructure, says General Manager

Frank Schaper. “For example, we built

two new vapour return installations of

2500 and 5000 m3 to prevent gasonline

and gasoline component vapours

from entering the atmosphere. We can

now intercept and condense these

vapours to reclaim fuel.” The renovation

programme will continue until at least

2015 and cost over 100 million euros.

IMPROVING The qUAyS

Part of the project is improving the (un)

loading facilities for seagoing vessels,

Schaper explains. “We will renovate

the existing jetties, which includes

improving the loading arms to increase

their capacity. As a result, we should

be able to unload a tanker in 24 hours

instead of the current 36.”

EuroTank Amsterdam also built four

storage tanks for gasoline products in

2009, with a joint capacity of 150,000 m3.

These will be extended in mid 2011 with

four more tanks for gasoil with a total

capacity of 75,000 m3. The new tanks

to maintain its position in Amsterdam

Seaports. Schaper: “This port continues

to be one of the major storage and

transhipment hubs for mineral products

in the ARA region (Antwerp-Rotterdam-

Amsterdam).” EuroTank is therefore very

important to mother company Vitol as well

as being the company’s largest storage

terminal with a capacity of nearly 1.4

million m3.

are not intended as capacity expansion,

however. Once they are ready, EuroTank

will clean out and demolish several old

tanks. “For now we don’t have any plans

to expand our storage capacity, but we

are looking into the possibility of building

extra capacity on our current land at a later

date,” says Schaper.

It is understandable that EuroTank wants

EUROTANK AMSTERDAM RENOVATES STORAgE TERMINAL

One hundred million euro modernisationEuroTank Amsterdam is in the midst of a multi-year renovation of its storage terminal in the port of Amsterdam, a project that will eventually cost over 100 million euros.

General Manager of EuroTank Amsterdam, Frank Schaper

E N E R g y

According to Peter van de Meerakker,

Managing Director of Zeehaven IJmuiden

NV Port Authority, the IJmondhaven (IJmond

harbour), the third largest port of IJmuiden,

is an ideal operating base. “The sailing

times to the new parks on the North Sea

are relatively short. In addition, we have

40,000 m2 of land where the wind turbines

can be assembled.” All potential developers

(energy companies, project developers and

investment companies) have now visited

the IJmondhaven. “I hope they will use

this location as the base of operations for

multiple offshore wind parks,” says Van de

Meerrakker.

The major benefit of IJmuiden is its central

location, adds Ron Davio, the new chairman

of the promotional organisation AYOP

(Amsterdam IJmuiden Offshore Ports).

He says that another key advantage is

the presence of a large number of service

organisations such as metal companies,

KVSA (a shipbroker that provides a full range

of IT services) and the Maritime Service

Centre Ymond (MSCY).

The suitability of the IJmondhaven became

apparent during the construction of two

wind turbine parks off the Dutch coast. The

first is the Near Shore Wind Park built in

2006, which consists of 36 wind turbines of

3 megawatt (MW). The second wind turbine

park (2008) is approximately 23 kilometres

from the port of IJmuiden and includes 60

wind turbines of 2 MW.

VeSTAS fACILITIeS

Vestas Offshore the Netherlands opened

new facilities for these projects in IJmuiden

in 2009. The company organises the

maintenance of both wind parks from this

new office and warehouse, and may soon

expand its activities. In 2009 the Dutch

government granted the license for two

new wind turbine parks. The first is from the

German energy company RWE and consists

of 59 turbines of 5 megawatt. The second

project has 100 3 MW turbines.

The Dutch government also gave out design

licenses for the largest offshore wind park of

the Netherlands (350 MW), located some 55

kilometres from IJmuiden. Finally, the Dutch

company E-connection has been granted

the license to build a wind park with 94

3 MW turbines sited 74 kilometres from

IJmuiden.

SUPPLIeRS BeNefIT

These developments are having a positive

effect on the regional suppliers. Iskes

Towage and Salvage, for example, has

already done a lot of work for the two

existing wind parks. During construction the

IJmuiden company was involved in towing

the installation vessels and the transport of

maintenance personnel to sea.

Iskes is also active in the maintenance sector

together with the IJmuiden company Wals

Diving. In 2010, one of Iskes’s vessels (Pollux)

was transporting divers almost continuously.

Iskes expects to continue to be involved

in the maintenance of the current wind

turbines and the installation of the new

parks nearby.

Established in IJmuiden for some time,

WindCat Workboats also transports

personnel and materials to and from the

wind turbine parks on the North Sea.

Together with the American company

Morelli & Melvin, WindCat Workboat

designed a fast catamaran with a front

fender and rubber rubbing strip that allows

the boat to moor alongside the wind

turbines and facilitate easy boarding and

disembarkation.

This year WindCat Workboats is planning

to take the WindCat-101 into operation,

a 27-metre catamaran for a crew of 50.

The vessel is specifically intended for

transporting personnel to farther offshore

accommodation platforms. For smaller tasks,

the company has the fast WindSpeeds,

12-metre polyester monohulls that can carry

small components or up to ten people.

www.zeehaven.nl

www.ayop.com

www.iskestugs.nl

www.windcatworkboats.com

Construction of offshore wind turbines in the IJmond harbour


E N E R g y

Amsterdam Seaports: Hub for offshore wind energyOver recent years the port of IJmuiden, part of Amsterdam Seaports, has developed into the Dutch centre for wind energy on the North Sea.

Hydrocarbon Hotel, a new tank storage terminalPort of Amsterdam aims to be one of the most sustainable ports in Europe by 2020. In line with this ambition, a tank storage terminal for products such as bio-fuels is due for completion in the port of Amsterdam at the end of this year. The project is being built by Hydrocarbon Hotel, a joint venture between Blue Ocean and the North Sea group, two companies active on the British and Dutch market for motor fuels.

The guests at the groundbreaking

ceremony in the Amerikahaven (America

harbour) in the port of Amsterdam on 23

September 2010 included Neil O’Leary

(CEO Ion Equity, shareholder of Blue Ocean)

and Peter Nohlmans (CEO of the North Sea

Group). At the time construction of the new

blend terminal officially started foundations

for three tanks were already in place. When

completed, the facilities will include eleven

tanks with a total capacity of 140,000 m3

as well as a holding and filling station. The

terminal will also have a quay for seagoing

and inland vessels. Hydrocarbon Hotel is

active in the import, export and blending

of gasoline and the storage of gasoline

components and bio-fuels. The delivery

date is set for 1 December 2011.

CLIeNT NeTWORK

Ruud van Stralen, commercial manager oil

and chemicals of the Port of Amsterdam,

explains that the Amerikahaven is a logical

location for the new terminal: “Hydrocarbon

Hotel is located in an area that is already

being used for tank storage. Moreover,

the terminal suits the needs of our client

network in Amsterdam.”

An important environmental measure is the

construction of a vapour balancing system.

According to Van Stralen this closed system

ensures minimum emissions and vapour

loss, while also preventing odour issues and

other air-polluting effects.

To blend the gasoline efficiently, all eleven

tanks will be equipped with a circulation

system including so-called venturi blend

nozzles. The benefits of this system are

very short blending times and the absence

of electro motors and seals in the tanks.

Because the tanks include a system for

measuring the product density at fifteen

levels, operators can monitor the progress

of the blending process and see when it is

finished on screen without having to take

product samples from the tank.

NeW fOUNdATION

During the groundbreaking ceremony all

eyes were on Voorbij Funderingstechniek,

a Dutch company involved in foundation

techniques that is also situated in the

Amsterdam port. In addition to 134

traditional prefab piles (including for

the operating building and the pump

foundations), the company used high-

speed piles (HSPs), a solid pile system which

had never previously been used as a tank

foundation.

Some 3,800 HSPs are being used, each

with a diameter of 220 mm and an average

length of approximately 23 metres. This

means the load will be more evenly

distributed over a large number of relatively

slim concrete piles, enabling the use of

thinner, less reinforced concrete plates.

The HSPs also have the benefit of fast

installation: Depending on the conditions,

over 200 HSPs can be placed per day,

considerably reducing the construction

time.

www.voorbijfunderingstechniek.nl

www.mno.nl

www.northseagroup.com

www.harvestenergy.co.uk


E N E R g y

Aerial photograph taken during the groundbreaking ceremony of Hydrocarbon Hotel. In the background we

see the storage tanks of ‘neighbour’ Oiltanking Amsterdam

With its Amsterdam Seaports storage

capacity increasing to 116,000 m3,

Westway Terminals will be servicing more

than just the large agri-industry in the

environs of the Dutch capital. Thanks to

good hinterland connections via trucks,

inland shipping and coasters, the storage

company will also be supplying products

to clients in Germany, Belgium and the

UK. Once the nine new stainless steel

tanks (a total of 15,750 m3) are ready in

mid 2011, Westway Terminals will have

46 tanks in Amsterdam of which fourteen

are stainless steel.

“Compared to carbon steel, these

stainless steel tanks are easier to

clean,” says Bert van Holst, Operations

Director Europe of Westway Terminals.

“This is practical and more efficient

when switching between products. The

stainless steel tanks can also be used

to store certain fatty acids that cannot

be stored in normal steel due to their

specifications. In short, this expansion

gives us greater volume, more tanks and

enhanced flexibility – which is what our

clients need. We offer tanks with volumes

varying from 290 m3 to 13,430 m3.”

SUffICIeNT SUPPLIeS

Independent storage and transhipment

companies such as Westway Terminals

play a stable role in the supply chain of

their clients. The information systems of

the terminal and its clients are closely

linked, for example via paperless EDI

connections. The terminal has a strong

distribution function: Combining the

various goods flows from various

continents for later delivery in smaller

volumes. The tanks also offer clients the

possibility to store products temporarily

and then deliver them when market

conditions are more favourable.

In Amsterdam Seaports the globally active

Westway Terminals is specialised in agri-

products such as vegetable and animal

oils and fats that are used, for example,

as raw material in the food and animal

fodder sector. Van Holst: “Our business is

all about food safety and quality control.

This is a complex process in which we can

offer various services with added value


WESTWAy TERMINALS ExPANDS

More tanks for greater flexibilityWestway Terminals is expanding its storage terminal in the port of Amsterdam with nine stainless steel tanks. In addition to an increase in capacity, the independent logistic services provider specialised in the storage of (semi-)manufactured goods for the agri-industry and bio-oil will be able to offer clients increased flexibility and diversification.

Aerial photograph of Westway Terminals

such as blending. The transport of the

products to and from the terminal is the

responsibility of the client.”

PURe BIOdIeSeL

The market in agri-products is reasonably

stable, according to Westway Terminals.

This does not apply to another major

activity of the company: The transport

and transhipment of methyl esters, which

is biodiesel in its purest form that is later

blended with fuel. “The market for methyl

esters is very much on the move,” Van

Holst concludes. “Much will depend on

government policies regarding bio-fuels.”

www.westwayterminals.com

E N E R g y

Dirk HuizingaManager Health, Safety, Security & Environment, Oiltanking Amsterdam

Your reliable storage partner for liquid bulk.

We Can, We CareAt Oiltanking, safety always comes first. This is reflected

in our global Health, Safety, Security and Environmental

(HSSE) policy, which has been translated into 15 languages

and is signed by each Profit Centre Manager. For continuous

improvement of our performance we need people like Dirk

Huizinga. Working for Oiltanking Amsterdam, Dirk’s job

is to ensure his terminal meets all internal and external

HSSE standards. Handling huge volumes of hazardous pro-

ducts utilizing more than 90 tanks and 18 jetties, as well

as pipelines to Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport and crude oil

platforms in the North Sea, Dirk has a lot of responsibility.

He can manage, because he cares.

Admiralitaetstrasse 55 | D-20459 Hamburg Germany Tel. +49-40-370990 0 | Fax +49-40-37099 499 | www.oiltanking.com

Dedicated to your bulkliquid handling. Efficient,safe and with respect forthe ecological environment.

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Westhavenweg 105F1042 BB Amsterdam T. +31 (0) 20 480 2060F. +31 (0) 20 480 2061E. [email protected]. www.specialisedtankerservices.com

kwart pagina sts FC.pdf 1 27-04-10 17:58

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www.amports.nl

Amsterdam Seaports goes biodiesel As part of its plan to become Europe’s most sustainable seaport by 2020, Amsterdam Seaports is currently in the process of acquiring two biodiesel plants: greenmills and Vesta Biofuels, each with a capacity of 200,000 tons a year.

The Dutch company Simadan is

constructing a complex of plants where

organic waste, fats and oils will be

processed, stored and converted into

biodiesel and biogas for the generation of

electricity. This project has been given the

collective name of Greenmills.

BIOdIeSeL TO The UK

The brand new Biodiesel Amsterdam

plant will purify and convert 350 tons

of used fats into biodiesel a day in large

tanks. With a total capacity of 100,000

m3, the park consists of dozens of round

storage tanks and is owned by the

storage and transhipment company

Tankstorage Amsterdam. A bridge with

a bundle of pipes links the tank park to

the pier for seagoing vessels. The ship

carrying the first cargo of biodiesel

departed from this pier in December

2010.

Simadan is a holding company that

incorporates Biodiesel Amsterdam,

Tankstorage Amsterdam, Rotie – a

company that collects materials such

as organic waste and cooking oil – and

the trading company Noba. These four

firms share eleven acres in the port with

Orgaworld under the name Greenmills.

“This means that Greenmills is a concept,

not a company,” Simadan executive

director Chris Linderman explains.

SeLf SUPPORTING

Both the production and storage of oils

and fats costs a great deal of power. Yet

the plants get all their energy needs from

within Greenmills, for instance by using

bio heating oil – a by-product of biodiesel

production – to supply their boilers.

Orgaworld generates methane gas and

electricity from organic waste, and the

residual heat is used for the tank park.

In the future, Biodiesel Amsterdam will

produce raw materials itself, reducing

the potential effects of fluctuating

commodity prices. The company has

already set up a plantation of Jatropha,

an oily, non-edible subtropical plant, in

Mozambique. “We have now planted

the first 2,000 hectares, and our goal

is to ultimately develop 50,000,” Chris

Linderman explains. “Dutch Jatropha

Consortium, which also belongs

to Simadan Holding, now has 237

employees in Mozambique. We have

been working on this for 3.5 years now,

and hope to gather the first oil harvest

this year. By 2013 we expect to produce

sufficient amounts to make it worthwhile

shipping the crop to Amsterdam Seaports

as a raw material for the biodiesel plant.”

VeSTA BIOfUeLS exPANSION

Having started construction of the

factory in February 2010, Vesta Biofuels

will begin production this summer. The

biodiesel plant is currently also working

on an expansion for converting used

cooking oil into biodiesel. “We can

process a wide variety of feedstock,”

project leader Erik Pluimers says. “The

used oils, purchased by Vesta from

animal fat producers, are purified in three

steps.”

The extension of the plant, which will

cost between eight and ten million euro,

will not affect the total refining capacity

of Vesta Biofuels, which amounts to

200,000 tons. The capacity of the seven

storage tanks will also remain at 42,000

m3. Erik Pluimers is hoping to begin work

on the expansion in mid 2012.

www.vestabiofuels.com

www.greenmills.nl


E N E R g y

View of Vesta Biofuels, scheduled to go into operation in mid-2011

“The scope of our activities and business

units has become ever wider over the

years,” says Richard Ter Haak, CEO of Ter

Haak Group since 1985. “We have grown

into a truly multi-modal modern company

that provides added value logistics for its

customers.” The Amsterdam entrepreneur

expects his business to focus even more on

the international transport chain over the

next five years. “Who knows, maybe we’ll

even have our own freight trains,” he adds.

Richard ter Haak joined the company

in 1975. “I started working in the

container sector in 1978, while we were

still a conventional stevedoring and

warehousing company. The sale and rental

of 20-foot containers proved to be highly

profitable, and that is how our subsidiary

Container Company Amsterdam (CCA) was

created.

IMPORTANCe Of WeST AfRICA

A subject close to Ter Haak’s heart is

the importance of line services to West

Africa for both the Ter Haak Group and

Amsterdam Seaports as a whole. “We

need to support shipping companies by

providing an optimal service, as we do

through our subsidiary United Stevedores

Amsterdam (USA).”

With this in mind, Ter Haak wishes to

encourage the shipping of return freight

from Amsterdam to West Africa. “There

are plenty of opportunities – in the

combination of bulk products such as milk

powder and flour with cocoa products, Ro/

Ro and consumer electronics for instance.”

DIRECTOR RICHARD TER HAAK CELEBRATES CENTENNIAL OF TER HAAK gROUP IN 2011

Ongoing growth as a multi-modal business


I N T E R V I E W

Chief Executive Officer Richard ter Haak is the third generation at the helm of his family business, which will be one hundred years old in 2011. Over the past century the Ter Haak group has evolved from a local shipping service firm in Amsterdam to a multimodal company with branches around the world.

This is why the Ter Haak Group has teamed

up with the adjacent Amsterdam Container

Terminals (ACT) to investigate the potential

for a joint one-stop shop terminal for

project cargo with attractive, transparent

rates.

Meanwhile, the Ter Haak Group is busy

enhancing its multi-modal hinterland

connections, including most recently in

Veendam in the northern Netherlands and

in Strasbourg. Although Ter Haak Logistics’

new office in Amsterdam has yet to get up

and running, Ter Haak is convinced that

this will happen as soon as the economy

recovers.

According to Ter Haak, all these plans

will come into their own once two major

regional infrastructure projects are

completed – a planned new motorway

(‘Westrandweg’) linking the port to

the ring road around Amsterdam and

Schiphol Airport, and the second large

sea lock in IJmuiden. “The new road will

significantly enhance the connection

between Amsterdam Seaports, Schiphol

and the port of Rotterdam. And the

second lock will boost the competitive

position of Amsterdam Seaports,

especially where container and cruise

ships are concerned.”

The fOURTh GeNeRATION

Three generations of the same family

have been at the helm of the Ter Haak

Group since 1911. “Being a family business

has both advantages and drawbacks. One

advantage is the strong involvement of

the owner in the ups and downs of the

business. But this can also be a weakness,

since you bring your troubles home at the

end of the day.”

Meanwhile, the fourth generation is

slowly gearing up to take charge. “My

son Michael has been learning the ropes

at various departments over the past

four years,” Ter Haak explains. “And since

we believe that it is very healthy to look

beyond your own back yard once in a

while, Michael is currently in Hong Kong

and Shanghai gaining vital international

experience.”

www.terhaakgroup.com

Richard ter Haak: “Amsterdam needs to

stimulate the shipping of return freight to

West Africa”

ZPMC EUROPE ExPANDS IN AMSTERDAM SEAPORTS

Keeping the cranes up

“Quality at a low price,” is how Paul

Rijbroek, sales manager at ZPMC Europe,

explains the strategy that has allowed

ZPMC to take the world by storm. All types

of cranes – grab, general cargo, offshore

or gantry – are increasingly shipped from

Shanghai to the four corners of the world.

In 2001, Kraanservice Van den Broek and

its sister company Crane Parts Europe

assisted ZPMC in the development of

Amsterdam Container Terminals (ACT).

This provided the Chinese company

with a permanent foothold in Europe.

“ZPMC was looking for a service division

in Europe and found us,” Rijbroek says.

“Things moved very quickly after that.”

The two Dutch companies merged in

2008 to form the new firm ZPMC Europe,

which now has 75 employees in the ports

of Amsterdam and Rotterdam.

SeRVICe ANd MAINTeNANCe

“Our activities focus on service and

maintenance,” Rijbroek explains. “We

provide travelling cranes, hoisting

equipment and spare parts, such as

brakes, wheels and cable pulleys, for all

types of cranes. This includes models by

current and former crane manufacturers

from Europe which we replicate to

specification in China or elsewhere. And

although the lifespan of a crane is around

25 years, moving parts, which are subject

to wear and tear, require more regular

replacement.

“We recently started using a second

warehouse for our spare parts in the port

of Amsterdam, which means we now

have 3300 pallets at our disposal. And we

continually have some 25 to 30 service

engineers in the field for maintenance,

inspections and repairs, while another

25 people are based at our full service

branch in Rotterdam.”

CUSTOMISATION

Through its projects department, ZPMC

Europe helps with the construction of

ZPMC cranes as well as related activities,

such as logistics, transportation,

installation, procurement, manpower

and communication with customers

in Europe. “Our Amsterdam base is

strategically ideal for servicing all

of Europe,” Rijbroek says. “And our

consultancy department guides and

advises European customers in the

acquisition, engineering and construction

of cranes, since port cranes are often

customised.” ZPMC Europe has, for

instance, been involved in a new 60-

ton bulk crane for OBA Bulk Terminal

Amsterdam, and two cranes of 530 tons

for MultiServ Holland, based at Tata Steel

in IJmuiden.

OTheR SeCTORS

The larger the container, the higher,

larger and faster the cranes need to

be. Automation has its place not just

at container terminals, but also bulk

terminals, Rijbroek explains. “The automatic

positioning of the grip at given coordinates,

and the augmentation of speeds and

lifting capacities, allow a bulk vessel to be

unloaded faster. At the same time, crane

management and maintenance help to

reduce turnaround times and prevent or

shorten crane down time. In addition, cranes

are constantly upgraded to become more

energy efficient.”

The market for port cranes has become

fairly saturated after the major sales in

recent times. “This means that ZPMC, and by

extension ourselves, has started increasing

our attention on other sectors, including

large steel structures, wind farms, and

dredging and anchor vessels,” Rijbroek

concludes. “Cranes always have to keep up,

and so do we!”

www.zpmceurope.com


C R A N E S

ZPMC Europe in Amsterdam Seaports is the Chinese crane manufacturer’s bridgehead in the European market. Since it is crucial for a crane to be reliable, servicing, maintenance and the availability of spare parts are critical. With this in mind, the company has recently started operating a second warehouse in Amsterdam.

Transport of the two 530 ton cranes for MultiServ Holland in IJmuiden

Zeehaven IJmuiden NV is the only privately owned port in the Netherlands. Set outside the locks on the North Sea Canal, Zeehaven IJmuiden NV offers easy access. What’s more it’s only 20 minutes from Schiphol Airport.

Newly opened IJmond Harbour with deepwater and quayside locations ready for development

Daily ferry service to the UK port of Newcastle

Europe’s premier logistics gateway forfresh and frozen fish

A North Sea supply base - both for traditional oil and gas fields and new wind-farm projects

A wide availability of industrial land for saleor rent at competitive prices

An alternative and complimentary cruise port for Amsterdam

tel: +31 255 547000fax: +31 255 547050e-mail: [email protected]: www.zeehaven.nl

take the easy wayZeehaven IJmuiden NV • Halkade 4, Postbus 541 • 1970 AM IJmuiden • The Netherlands

Zeehaven_Ijmuiden Ad2.indd 1 2/7/09 10:05:57

www.zeehaven.nl

Amsterdam Seaports No.1 2011

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Transcript of Amsterdam Seaports No.1 2011