Netherlands: Kloosterboer starts reefer container depot in Flushing
Logistic service provider Kloosterboer has recently reached an agreement with a number of container shipping companies to start a reefer container depot in Vlissingen. One of these companies is Maersk.
The arrival of such a container depot means optimal usage of these shipping companies’ incoming reefer containers. The depot will be established at the Kloosterboer site in Vlissingen under the name “Kloosterboer Container Logistics”. In doing so, Zeeland Seaports and Kloosterboer want to put the Dutch province of Zeeland on the map in the field of containers.
Currently, Kloosterboer mainly handles import containers. After stripping, the containers are returned to a container depot in Antwerp or Rotterdam. By starting an inland container depot in Vlissingen, (return)-transport and handling costs will be reduced. Local exporters will have the advantage that they no longer have to collect the containers from Rotterdam or Antwerp. Therefore all parties benefit from the new container depot. In the meantime, several tests have been carried out by local onion exporters and they have seen noticeable benefits from the container depot at Kloosterboer. Furthermore, it produces attractive prospects for new trading channels to this part of the Netherlands. The costs, in comparison to the port of Rotterdam or Antwerp, are considerably reduced. In this context, there has been close collaboration between Kloosterboer and port company Zeeland Seaports to use their combined knowledge, experience and networks to keep on the right course.
In addition, Kloosterboer offers a barge service to the larger sea ports for onward transport. The barge transport system has the advantage that the busy routes around the large sea ports are avoided. Furthermore, this enables Kloosterboer to offer CO2 reducing transport. Meanwhile, discussions have already started with other container shipping companies regarding (re-)locating their containers to Vlissingen for export. This is also expected to lead to positive results within a short period of time.
With these innovative concepts alongside the existing conventional liner services to Russia and West Africa, Kloosterboer is putting the port of Vlissingen on the map for further development of containerisation and providing a unique total solution for both importers and exporters.
For more information:
N.V. Zeeland Seaports
Arno Dirkzwager,
Tel: +31 115 647400
arno.dirkzwager@zeelandseaports.com