Port of Rotterdam Partners with TOC Worldwide

Port of Rotterdam has signed a global partner deal with TOC Worldwide, organiser of the global TOC portfolio of port-centric maritime trade and supply chain events.

The two partners said that the new agreement reflects a mutual commitment to foster greater dialogue and co-operation across international supply chains, at a time when global freight transport is facing significant new challenges.

Handling around 450 million tons of cargo annually, including nearly 12 million TEU of container traffic, Rotterdam is a key global junction for goods flow, Europe’s largest maritime logistics and industrial hub and the gateway to a market of over 350 million European consumers.

The Port of Rotterdam Authority is currently overseeing a major investment and innovation programme, aimed at cementing the port’s position as a global hub for containers, fuel and energy and the leading hub for intra-European trade. This includes the development of new generation container port infrastructure at the giant Maasvlakte 2 site, a growing range of projects to promote better hinterland connectivity and cargo flows, and research into new sustainable energy generation and power management solutions for the whole port community.

“Both at the port and in the hinterland, co-operation in the supply chain is key to success,” said Joyce Bliek, Director of Containers and Breakbulk at Port of Rotterdam. “Chain-wide solutions are needed to foster the new efficiencies needed to cope with the scale of current and future cargo flows.”

“One of our key roles as a port authority is to bring the different parties together to effect positive change,” continued Ms Bliek. “Rotterdam has a long and rich history of exploring new frontiers and pursuing innovation, involving thousands of different companies and partners around the globe. We believe that sharing information leads to new perspectives and a change of perspective leads to new results and progress. Combining diverse views and knowledge to stimulate fresh thinking is what TOC is all about and Rotterdam is pleased to join the conversation as global port partner.”

Since launching its first conference in Europe back in 1976, TOC has brought industry executives together from across the globe to chart the changing face of maritime trade, shipping and port operations. Nearly 40 years on, today the organiser stages four events annually around the world, including TOC Asia (Singapore, April), TOC Europe (London, June), TOC Americas (Cartagena, October) and, this year, the new TOC West Africa Market Briefing (Tenerife, December).

“Our role at TOC is to provide meeting hubs where all the supply chain stakeholders can gather to learn, debate and network,” said Paul Holloway, Event Director. “We have a long-standing relationship with Port of Rotterdam, which has hosted TOC Europe a number of times, including our biggest event ever in 2013, as well as taking part with speakers and delegates around the world. It became clear to us both that we share a common ethos of promoting communication and collaboration along the supply chain. Port of Rotterdam is a true champion of connectivity and we are proud to welcome them as our global port partner.”

TOC, April 15, 2014