Port and Industrial Cluster
Port Sectors
The port of Rotterdam is one of the links in the 'supply chain' that gets products from the factory to the consumer. Characteristic of a mainport such as Rotterdam is that all kinds of different cargo flows come together. These various cargo flows are handled by specialized companies. The port is equipped to handle chemicals, ores, liquid bulk, dry bulk, vehicles, general cargo, refrigerated cargo, food and containers simultaneously. Whenever possible, the companies are clustered; consequently, Rotterdam can be typified as a collection of specialized ports.
Renowned companies already established in the Port of Rotterdam include: Vopak, Stolt Nielsen, Akzo Nobel, ADM Terminals, Broekman Group, BP, DSM, Maersk, DB Schenker, E.ON, Exxon, Esso, Q8, Mammoet, Organik Kimya, Shell, Stena Line, Total and Huntsman.
(Petro) Chemical cluster
Many of the world’s leading oil and chemical companies are active in Rotterdam. In the port, there are four world-scale oil refineries and more than 40 chemical and petrochemical companies. Three producers of industrial gases have set up operations in Rotterdam, as well as 13 major tank storage and distribution companies. It is quite clear to see why so many oil and chemical companies have already opted for Rotterdam:
- first-class logistics and transport options;
- the availability of a full range of chemical feedstocks;
- a high degree of operational integration between the various chemical plants and tank storage terminals.
Agri-business
Rotterdam is the European center for agri-business. Each year, the port handles some 83 million metric tons of bulk cargo; of this amount, dry agribulk accounts for roughly 10 million metric tons. In the field of oils and fats, Rotterdam is Europe’s market leader.
The region accommodates a number of renowned agricultural trading houses such as Glencore International, Bunge and ADM/Toepfer. A comprehensive range of crushers, processors, food manufacturers, packagers and transport & storage companies. And a wide variety of service providers: laboratories, grain factors and forwarding agents. Specialists offering any product, any quantity, and any activity.
Breakbulk
Rotterdam is the ideal hub, both to and from Europe, for every type of breakbulk cargo: steel, project cargo, non- ferrous metals, paper & other forest products, the automotive sector, fruit, etc.
There are currently 27 breakbulk and RoRo terminals in the port, together handling a total of 25.6 million tonnes in 2008. Each terminal has its own specialty, assuring the port’s clients of service tailored to their needs, with speed, care, professionalism and reliability as key principles.
Containers
Rotterdam is the mainport of European container transport. With an average of about 9.7 million TEU passing through the port each year, Rotterdam by far outstrips all the other ports in Europe.
Rotterdam owes its position as European preeminent container port to a vast number of factors, such as:
- excellent accessibility, also for the most recent generations of container ships;
- dedicated terminal facilities, both on the landside and the waterside;
- European transport hub function;
- excellent hinterland connections;
- fast turnaround times;
- attractive location for bunkering.