Factsheet 'Rotterdam Cool Port' - Port of Rotterdam

Rotterdam
Cool Port
A new integrated
concept for
perishable cargo
Rotterdam will strengthen its leading position in perishable cargo in the coming
years with the realisation of Rotterdam Cool Port; a new, state-of-the-art cluster
for perishables in the heart of the container cluster in the Waal - Eemhaven.
Rotterdam Cool Port will be a new integrated concept for
all perishable cargo, with ample room for activities such
as storage, cross-docking, inspection and quality control,
and will be the start and end point of frequent intermodal
connections throughout Europe.
PERISHABLE LOGISTICS CHANGING FAST
Rotterdam Cool Port is the Port of Rotterdam’s answer to
the swift change in the perishable logistics. Transport in
reefer containers is taking the place of breakbulk handling
(pallets, boxes, etc.) at a fast pace. It is expected that around
90% of all perishable cargo will travel in containers in the
near future: not only fruits and vegetables, but also meat,
fi sh, dairy products, fl owers and plants, etc. As the largest
container port in Europe, Rotterdam is well positioned,
especially with the upcoming expansion at Maasvlakte 2.
Moreover, Rotterdam is the ‘fi rst port of call’ in Europe for
many shipping lines, creating the fi rst opportunity to unload
reefer containers. After all, the faster perishable goods get to
their fi nal destination, the better.
CONCENTRATION ON THE SOUTH BANK
Currently, fruit and vegetable handling in the port is
concentrated at Rotterdam Fruitport (Merwehaven) on the
north bank. The logistical concept here is based on the
handling of pallet loads from specialized reefer ships. With
Rotterdam Cool Port on the south bank, the port is ready to
take perishable cargo handling to the next level. Advantages
compared to similar activities at hinterland locations are
speed, reliability and the huge possibilities for creating cargo
combinations for the end customer at the lowest cost.
ATTRACTIVE CARGO COMBINATIONS
Rotterdam Cool Port can in time handle over twelve million
tonnes of perishable cargo per year. Reefer containers will
increasingly arrive on large container ships at the container
terminals on Maasvlakte 1 and 2. Some reefer containers
will move directly to their fi nal destination in the hinterland.
Others will have an intermediate stop at Rotterdam Cool
Port fi rst. Here, various combinations of perishables - with
or without intermediate storage - can be made and onward
transportation with any modality can be arranged.

A new integrated concept for perishable cargo
DEEP SEA
HINTERLAND TRANSPORT (DIV)
BARGE
DEEP SEA
SHORT SEA
BARGE
TRUCK
RAIL
CHOOSING INTERMODAL TRANSPORT
A crucial part of Rotterdam Cool Port is the intermodal
transport of perishable cargo. Trucks are making way for
sustainable transport by inland shipping and railway, with
the port as a starting point. An inland shipping shuttle will
maintain a continuous connection between the container
terminals on the Maasvlakte and Rotterdam Cool Port,
which is located about 30 kilometres further inland. For
onward transport into Europe the aim is to increasingly use
Rotterdam’s excellent hinterland connections by inland
shipping and rail. Moreover, the Waal - Eemhaven area
includes the Rail Service Center Rotterdam: the start and
end point of dozens of train shuttles per day.
IMPORTANT ROLE FOR SHORT SEA
Shortsea is also destined to play an important role in
Rotterdam Cool Port. For now, most of the vegetables and
(citrus) fruits cultivated in southern Europe are transported to
Western Europe by road. It is anticipated that the increasing
obstacles for road transport and the growing attention for
sustainability will lead to a cargo fl ow switch to shortsea in
the future. As Europe’s number 1 shortsea port, Rotterdam
has excellent credentials for this purpose. Rotterdam
Cool Port is planned in the same area where the shortsea
terminals are concentrated. Thanks to the many departures
that take place from this location, it will be simple to transport
perishable cargo by sea to other European countries (UK,
Ireland and Scandinavia) via Rotterdam Cool Port. In
addition, attractive cargo combinations are made possible
with the export of our own Dutch fresh produce.
START IN 2015
The development of Rotterdam Cool Port is a joint initiative
of the Port of Rotterdam Authority and key players in the
perishables market. The goal is to have the fi rst perishable
cargo make its journey via Rotterdam Cool Port in 2015.
201105ID-FS019-E
PORT OF ROTTERDAM AUTHORITY
The aim of the Port of Rotterdam Authority is to enhance the port of
Rotterdam’s competitive position as a logistics hub and world-class
industrial complex. Not only in terms of size, but also quality.
The core tasks of the Port Authority are to develop, manage and
run the port in a sustainable way and to maintain a speedy and safe
service for shipping.
© Port of Rotterdam Authority • Containers, Breakbulk & Logistics (0811/E)
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT
Port of Rotterdam Authority
P.O. Box 6622, 3002 AP
Rotterdam, The Netherlands
T + 31 (0)10 252 12 58
F + 31 (0)10 252 40 87
E coolport@portofrotterdam.com
I www.portofrotterdam.com