APM Terminals together with Delta Marine Terminal has started providing extended gate access for Rotterdam originated cargo and elsewhere from the European hinterland at Moerdijk Harbour where a depot is located. The move is designed to enable truckers to avoid traffic delays caused by construction-related congestion on the central A15 highway artery serving the Rotterdam port area.
Between 2011 and 2015 extensive roadwork is scheduled for the highway, which links Maasvlakte with interior European commercial, industrial and population centres, creating significant difficulties and delays for truck traffic, reports UK's Transport Intelligence.
The terminal operator said a shuttle service will be operated between the extended gate and facility by barge to avoid road transportation altogether.
"We are pleased to offer this new service to our customers to help avoid unnecessary delays, and to also promote environmentally sound alternatives to road transport," said operations director Rob Sponselee.
The container transshipment service will receive preferential treatment at both terminals, including priority scheduling, and transport rates and storage costs can be potentially reduced as storage costs in Moerdijk are lower than they are at Maasvlakte. It will also be possible to deliver containers to the depot more than eight days ahead of cut-off times, the company said.
Delta Marine Terminal has an annual container handling capacity of 400,000 TEU. Inland water transport will be provided by Moerdijk-based Barge Line.
