The Port of Rotterdam Authority has put into use three public lay-by berths for feeder and short sea ships on the Maasvlakte. This will save shipping companies valuable fuel and time in particular.
Two berths are at dolphins in the continuation of the Rhenus terminal in the Europahaven (port number 8235). The third location is at the dolphins at a short distance from the GDF Suez quay in the Beerkanaal (port number 8025). The investments were in the region of €4 million.
With throughput of almost 12 million standard containers (TEU), Rotterdam is Europe’s largest container port. According to the Port Vision 2030, the percentage of units shipped in and out by small coastal container vessels will increase from 30% in 2010 to 40% in 2030. Most of these ships call at several container terminals and sometimes have to wait in the meantime. If they can do this nearby and free of charge, that saves fuel and time.
[mappress]
Port of Rotterdam, February 12, 2014